Country of origin labelling ruling expected by European Commission

THE European Commission is expected to issue a definitive position on proposed country of origin labelling by the end of this month, according to Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith.

Speaking in the aftermath of a liquidator being appointed to Cappoquin Chickens, he said he acknowledged the difficulties being experienced by the indigenous Irish poultry industry.

He said he was committed to the principle of country of origin labelling for poultry, as well as for pigmeat and sheepmeat.

Minister Smith said his Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, had drafted national regulations requiring such country of origin labelling, and had notified them to the European Commission last December.

While the commission had initially adopted a negative opinion on the draft legislation, it had afforded the Government an opportunity to provide further information in support of its proposals.

“The European Commission’s definitive position on the proposed legislation is expected by the end of September,” he said.

Minister Smith said he was particularly anxious that country of origin labelling be introduced to ensure that consumers were not misled as to the origin of the product and to address shortcomings in existing legislation to prevent misleading origin indications.

Labour party agriculture spokesman Sean Sherlock TD said the rules relating to food labelling clearly need to be changed.

He said the rules which define substantial transformation are far too lax and allow imported meat to be packaged as Irish.

This was putting Irish producers at a serious disadvantage. This could be fixed, but the law needs to be changed, he said, stressing the need to protect jobs.

Mr Sherlock said Ireland is to a considerable extent subject to European Union directives on food labelling.

“We should be looking to enact laws here in Ireland that would afford greater protection to Irish producers and growers,” he said.