Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has taken steps at European Union level to get support for a full review of the impact of United States country of origin labelling legislation at World Trade Organisation level, given the impact this will have on livestock imports to the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2330/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The rules on origin labelling for Ireland are determined at EU level and last year I signed into law an SI to give effect to the new European Regulations for country of origin labelling of meat from sheep, pigs, poultry and goats. These mandatory rules require a label to state the Member State where the animal was reared and slaughtered. In addition, my Department is liaising with the Department of Health with a view to extending the legislation to include “loose meats” which are sold or supplied to consumers. As a member of the EU and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ireland is in a position to avail of opportunities for trade that are essential for the development of our open economy. Membership of these organizations also brings reciprocal trade obligations. My Department is reviewing the WTO ruling, with a view to understanding any potential impact for Irish exports amongst our trade partners within the EU and third country markets.