Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that the labelling of food products on sale here is fully authentic and preserves the integrity of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45586/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (F.S.A.I.). This is done through service contracts between the F.S.A.I and my Department, The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Service Executive and the Local Authority Veterinary Service. Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer. Under EU legislation, specific country of origin labelling is only required in the case of beef, unprocessed poultry and fruit and vegetables.

My Department conducts checks, including labelling, as appropriate in the business premises for which it has responsibility and non-compliances are followed up as necessary. It is understood from the FSAI that a range of inspections are carried out at catering and retail establishments by the other service-contracted bodies which include checks on labelling. Draft EU regulations amending labelling requirements are being considered at Council Working Party level in Brussels. Ireland is represented at these negotiations by the Department of Health and Children.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that all poultry products on sale here are fully compliant with labelling and traceability regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45587/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (F.S.A.I.). This is done through service contracts between the F.S.A.I and my Department, The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Service Executive and the Local Authority Veterinary Service. Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer. Under EU legislation, specific country of origin labelling is only required in the case of beef, unprocessed poultry and fruit and vegetables.

My Department conducts checks, including labelling, as appropriate in the business premises for which it has responsibility and non-compliances are followed up as necessary. It is understood from the FSAI that a range of inspections are carried out at catering and retail establishments by the other service-contracted bodies which include checks on labelling.