Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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64. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which standards of husbandry, processing and traceability in the food sector here continues with particular reference to the need to ensure the highest possible standards for beef, lamb, pig meat, poultry or fish leaving for international markets given the intense competition worldwide and the importance of being able to compete therein adequately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33503/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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All Irish meats and seafood exported to international markets are produced, packaged and certified in strict compliance with the rigorous EU harmonised rules and, where necessary, any additional import conditions required in bilateral or EU agreements with importing countries.

Ireland's strong reputation for food safety and our excellent animal health status have certainly contributed to my Department's success in gaining and retaining market access for Irish food exports.

 Food products placed on the market are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers comply with the highest safety standards.  My Department has a role in the enforcement of this legislation along with other Government departments and state agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the Health Service Executive. The FSAI is the body responsible for enforcement of regulations governing traceability, labelling and provision of food information to customers.

Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. The role of competent authorities at national level is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is achieved through a combination of establishment inspections and auditing the food safety management systems which operators are obliged to have in place.