Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that food labelling continues to accurately reflect the origin and standard of production as required under legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28888/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Food production and labelling in the countries of the European Union operates in accordance with harmonised rules and member states, including Ireland, are required to implement controls to ensure compliance by Food Business Operators. These controls are subject to audit and supervision by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the EU.

Beef labelling in particular is subject to comprehensive regulations concerning the identification of bovines and the labelling of their meat. These provisions were introduced in the wake of the BSE crisis to improve traceability and food security throughout the sector. The recent EU Food Information for the Consumer Regulation has extended these origin labelling requirements to other meats such as pigmeat and poultry and impact assessments will be carried out by the Commission prior to the preparation of detailed rules on the new requirements.

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.

As part of the official controls in food businesses, consideration is given to legislative requirements, the requirements of the service contract between the official agencies and the FSAI, regional / local sampling plans and national surveillance programmes. Also included in these inspections are checks on compliance with national labelling regulations in producers, processors, retail and catering as appropriate. Labelling inspections are carried out as part of normal routine food safety inspections.