Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the labelling on all poultry products sold here reflects the country of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20687/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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An indication of the country of origin is not mandatory for the poultry sector, except in the case of unprocessed meat coming from third countries. My Department has been in extensive communication over the past year with the European Commission with a view to making such labelling compulsory. While the Commission adopted a negative opinion in relation to our proposal for national legislation, I will continue to press for country of origin labelling in the context of the Commission's proposal for a new regulation on food information. The Department of Health and Children is the lead Department for that proposal and my officials remain in contact with it on this issue.