Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 557: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action which has been taken in 2008 to assist the poultry sector; the cost of such action; if he has a strategic policy in relation to the future of the poultry sector here; and the action taken to determine the impact of a lack of a country of origin labelling on imported poultry meats which have been processed locally on the difficulties of the poultry industry. [32563/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My objective in regard to the poultry sector is that Irish produced poultry would retain the dominant share of the retail market for fresh poultry meat. This is currently the primary outlet for Irish product although there is strong pressure from competitively priced imports from other EU countries. The Quality Assurance mark is critical to retaining this market share. 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 Poultry Quality Assurance Scheme (PQAS). This year both the processor and producer standards of the PQAS were 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.

My Department operates an extensive range of controls to uphold the country's avian health status. There is also a scheme of financial assistance for flock owners in whose flocks certain types of salmonella have been detected. Department veterinary personnel are present in all poultrymeat production premises to monitor compliance with public health legislation.

In 2004 the poultrymeat labelling regulations (which include a requirement to indicate the country of origin in the case of unprocessed poultrymeat coming from non-EU countries) were extended to cover poultrymeat sold loose in retail outlets. Last year my Department decided to extend these by drafting new national regulations that would require the country of origin to be indicated on all pigmeat, poultry and sheepmeat and on processed foods containing at least 70% of these meats. This year there has been a series of correspondence and a meeting between Department and Commission officials on the proposed legislation. I believe there should be more extensive country of origin labelling of all meats. This would facilitate consumers in their purchasing choices. Last December my Department presented the EU Commission with draft legislation that would require the country of origin to be shown on poultry, pigmeat and sheepmeat. The Commission adopted a negative opinion on this on the grounds that it is not in line with the harmonized EU rules on labelling but expressed an openness towards further examination of the subject. I have since written to the Commissioner to reinforce the case. This item is on the agenda for a forthcoming meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCOFCAH) scheduled for 13 October 2008.

Another issue facing the poultry sector is compliance with legislation on the protection of the environment. 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. Under EU single market rules meat can be traded freely between Member States and there is no provision for financial interference in the commercial operation of that market.