Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1320. To ask the Minister for Health whether there are specific legal provisions governing the importation, certification or labelling of Halal meat products; which regulatory authorities oversee enforcement; and whether further legal clarity or updates are being considered to align consumer expectations with regulatory standards. [48857/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised that while there are no specific legal provisions regulating the importation, certification or labelling of halal meat products, there are legislative provisions which would apply to all meat products, including halal meat products.

Regarding importation, FSAI has advised that meat products, including halal meat products are required to comply with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare.The legal provisions set down require all meat products to present at a border control post (BCP) of first arrival into the Union. At the BCP, competent authorities perform official controls to ascertain compliance with the rules on import. These official controls include documentary checks, identify and physical checks as appropriate. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) oversees the official controls on importation of meat and meat products.

I am informed by FSAI that food labelling is regulated under Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (FIC). One of the principles of this legislation is that the consumer should not be misled and while the labelling of food is not specific to halal meat products, where a meat product is labelled as ‘halal’, this food information must be accurate, clear and easy to understand for the consumer. Food labelling regulations on meat products, are enforced by DAFM and the National Environmental Health Service (NEHS).

FSAI has also advised is not aware of any legal updates or EU proposals being considered to align consumer expectations with regulatory requirements.