Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which food labelling and traceability continues to be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28106/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the degree to which all food products here comply with Irish and EU traceability, husbandry, production and health standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28107/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.

Food production and labelling in the countries of the European Union operates in accordance with harmonised rules and member states controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) under the aegis the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies including the Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.

The work to ensure compliance with the application of health and hygiene regulations and traceability within the remit of my own Department is carried out by staff from the Department. This work is subject to regular audit by both the FSAI and the FVO. All imports of food products of animal origin into the EU are the subject of prior notification and my Department, in co-operation with the Customs Service, operate veterinary public health controls at EU approved Border Inspection Posts on all direct imports into Ireland coming from non EU (or third) countries.