Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 250: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views in the event of another serious dioxide scare in the pork or beef industry; if he has plans to introduce a bar code on products which would identify the farm where the product originated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3699/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Following the recall of pork products initiated on 6 December 2008, my initial objective was to ensure that all the necessary measures were rapidly put in place to enable the restoration of supplies of Irish pork and bacon products in which the consumer can have full confidence.

I have since established a Review Group to be chaired by Professor Patrick Wall to examine the dioxin contamination incident and to make recommendations on measures needed to deal with such incidents in the future. Traceability will be an essential element of this review. In the meantime my Department in conjunction with industry is examining the potential to improve pork traceability.