Connick and Cuffe given new powers in agriculture department

MINISTERS of State Sean Connick and Ciarán Cuffe have assumed a suite of new statutory powers and duties within the Department of Agriculture.

Mr Connick assumes new powers in relation to fisheries and forestry. Mr Cuffe takes charge of horticulture and organic farming, farmers’ markets, farm shops, An Foras Orgánach, bees, carbon food labelling and the voluntary GM logo (the introduction of which is committed to in the renewed programme for government).

Taoiseach Brian Cowen signed the delegation orders yesterday. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, welcomed the initiative.

“I have enjoyed a very close working relationship with my ministerial colleagues and I look forward to maintaining that relationship and delivering on the commitments contained in the renewed programme for government.”

Meanwhile, IBEC group Food and Drink Industry Ireland wants Irish MEPs to support the inclusion of nutritional advice on “guideline daily amount” (GDAs) in food labelling.

The EU is this week voting on new legislation to harmonise food labelling. The IBEC group says advice on the optimum daily amounts of any food product is vital information to be carried on the product’s label.

A new survey by Food and Drink Industry Ireland has found that 78% of branded food products now carry GDA labelling. Most retailers have also adopted the system for their own label products, and those that have now carry GDA labelling on 95% of their range.

GDAs are a voluntary food industry initiative to provide consumers with clear nutritional labelling. The survey of GDA label penetration for an average shopping basket of branded goods (based on the CSO basket) was carried out in May. It is the fifth survey carried out since January 2008. GDA labelling on branded goods has risen from 52% to 78% in that time.

Food and Drink Industry Ireland director Paul Kelly said: “The food industry has made major progress in helping consumers make better informed choices on nutrition. It is now important that MEPs support the GDA system in new legislation being developed to harmonise food labelling in Europe.

“The legislation is being debated and voted on in the European Parliament this week. The European Parliament has been supportive of GDAs and food industry efforts.”