Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 1628: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he will take in view of the closure of Cappoquin Chickens to ensure the future viability of the Irish poultry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31209/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The primary outlet for Irish-produced poultry is the fresh retail trade where Irish product is still dominant. A very important instrument in that market is the Bord Bia Poultry Quality Assurance Scheme (PQAS). The Quality Assurance mark is recognised by consumers as a guarantee of traceability and reliability and is sought after by Irish retailers. Bord Bia has been very active in growing and enhancing the Scheme over the years. Both the processor and producer standards of the PQAS have been accredited under EN45011 by the Irish National Accreditation board. Training of participants in the operation of the scheme (plant personnel, processors' farm inspectors, producers and Bord Bia auditors) is ongoing.

I believe better labelling of poultry meat to indicate its origin would assist the marketing of Irish produced poultry. To this end my Department drafted new national regulations that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultry and sheep meat and on processed foods containing at least 70% of these meats. In December 2007 these were notified to the European Commission as required by legislation. The Commission adopted a negative opinion in March on the grounds that the proposed legislation was not in compliance with EU food labelling regulations. It did, however, afford us the opportunity to provide further information in support of our case and to this end there has been an exchange of correspondence and a meeting between Department and Commission officials to advance the subject. The Commission's definitive position on our proposed regulations is expected by the end of this month.

An area of importance for the future of the poultry sector is compliance with legislation on the protection of the environment which will have cost implications and give rise to operational complexities. The Intensive Livestock Group was established in my Department to assist poultry and pig producers in finding viable solutions to manure disposal problems. Producers, processors and Teagasc are represented on the Group, whose work is continuing.

There is good demand for poultry produced under free range systems and my officials are active in supporting producers who wish to engage in this activity.

Assistance is available from Enterprise Ireland for certain types of activities undertaken by poultry processors. The rules of the EU single market, however, prohibit the provision of operating aid for the producer sector.