Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1212: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to ensure high standards of food safety, quality labelling and traceability will be vigorously promoted to provide a competitive advantage against low cost imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47675/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The first priority of government is to ensure the safety of all food produced, distributed and sold in Ireland and abroad. This is done through the independent Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) (under the aegis of the Minister for Health & Children) The FSAI has full powers for the enforcement of food safety legislation. My Department, like other Departments and Agencies whose activities impinge on food safety operates under a service contract with the FSAI in delivering specific measures relating to certain products of animal origin. Food Quality is a key value of the Irish food and beverages industry and there is a range of measures in place to ensure quality and sustainable production. These include the cross compliance requirements of the Single Payment Scheme as well as REPS and similar other schemes to ensure production in an environmentally friendly manner whilst respecting animal welfare. In addition, Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, has Quality Assurance Schemes (QAS) in place for beef, lamb, pigmeat, poultry, eggs and horticultural produce, which promote high standards at producer and processor level and provide assurance to consumers and retailers on quality, origin and safety. The QAS are independently verified and accredited to international standards (EN45011) and play a significant part in the promotion and marketing of food and horticultural products.