Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1012: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the recommendations of the food labelling group established by him; how the recommendations of the food labelling group furnish evidence of public interest in origin labelling; if he will make these recommendations available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38011/09]

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

The Food Labelling Group was established in July 2002 to examine issues surrounding food labelling following concerns raised by my Departments Consumer Liaison Panel. The Group which was widely representative of the major stakeholders in the food chain, consumer interests, industry, Government Departments and Agencies presented its report to the Department in December 2002. The report is available on the Departments website www.agriculture.gov.ie.

At that time the amount of consumer research in relation to the importance of origin of foodstuffs was limited and the Group recommended that specific research should be conducted to ascertain consumers' wishes in this area.

On the basis of the Group's recommendations a consumer survey organised by the Departments Consumer Liaison Panel was published on 8 December 2003 and details are also available on the Department's website.