Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In 2022, Ireland secured an extension to our Nitrates Derogation covering the period to 2022-2025. Ireland's Nitrates Derogation has therefore not ended. Ireland is legally entitled to apply for a further derogation from 2026.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to ensure the application of the highest standards in beef and dairy production, with a view to ensuring that Irish products can adequately compete on national and world markets, given the various potential threats at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8605/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department operates a robust system of official controls so that Irish beef and dairy output can successfully compete nationally and internationally. Food security, food safety and nutrition are central to Food Vision 2030, the overarching strategy for the future development of the Irish agri-food sector.

With regard to food safety and hygiene controls, the role of my Department is to ensure compliance with both EU and national legislation for the areas under its remit.

Based on the fundamental principle that each food and feed business operator is responsible for the safety of the food and / or feed they produce, all dairy and meat establishments must be compliant with the requirements of the European Food Hygiene Regulations (known as the Hygiene Package). Food Business Operators (FBOs) must also adhere to the internationally accepted HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control point) principles, which give FBOs the flexibility to adapt control systems to the specific requirements of their operation.

My Department maintains a list of approved and registered food establishments on its website.

My Department continues to monitor and verify that all approved establishments remain compliant with regulations through risk based controls, audits and inspections at all stages of production, processing and distribution. My Department's Official Control reports are completed and submitted annually to the EU via the Multi Annual National Control Plan Report. These reports are publicly available.

In addition, exports to third country markets must be certified by my Department as compliant with the specific requirements of the competent authorities of each particular market in addition to meeting EU standards.

In conclusion, Ireland’s agri-food sector is outward looking, dynamic and strongly export and consumer oriented. It has earned a strong reputation internationally as a trusted supplier of high-quality, safe, sustainable food. Given the competitive and dynamic nature of global markets that we sell into, the sector must constantly strive to protect that reputation, to innovate and to maintain a level of competitiveness that enables it to prosper.