Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to ensure that imported pig and poultry products are not presented to the consumer at the point of sale as Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13267/11]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to ensure complete pig and poultry supply chain assurance from producer to consumer. [13269/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 276 together.

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. For the purposes of international trade, origin is deemed to be the place where the product last underwent a "substantial transformation".

Ireland has favoured the extension of mandatory origin or provenance labelling to meats other than beef, including pig meat and poultry, and including where such meats are ingredients in processed products and has lobbied for this with the European Commission for many years. A draft EU Commission Regulation, Food Information for the Consumer which, inter alia, relates to mandatory country of origin/place of provenance labelling is currently at Second Reading Stage in the European Parliament with discussions ongoing between the Parliament, Council and the Commission. This Regulation makes provision for the extension of the mandatory origin/provenance labelling requirements to other meats including both pig meat and poultry meat.

In relation to the integrity of the supply chain, Irish pig and poultry production is governed by European regulations which operate along the entire production chain. These are designed to provide assurance in relation to food safety, traceability, animal welfare and the protection of the environment. The food business operators have primary responsibility to comply with the regulations and they are strictly enforced by my Department and the FSAI and provide the necessary assurances in relation to the quality and safety of the product that ends up on customer's plates.

Finally, I recognise that operators at all levels of the food chain, from producer to retail level, have a critical role to play in providing supply chain assurance to the consumer, and a common interest in ensuring that the integrity of that chain is maintained. In this regard I met recently with farmers, processors and retailers to discuss this and a range of other important issues in relation to the pigmeat sector. I can assure the deputy that I will continue to engage in a pro active and positive way with these stakeholders to ensure that the future development of this very important sector is built on sound foundations which have a strong focus on meeting consumer demands at their core.