IFA unhappy with pigmeat labelling

Compulsory country-of-origin labelling for pigmeat products must be introduced under the review of labelling legislation currently being considered for beef, according to the IFA.

Pigs Committee chairman Pat O’Keeffe said the IFA held meetings with consumer representatives and Government agencies late last year.

This was to highlight the serious anomalies in the labelling legislation, which does not require the country of origin to be put on pork and bacon products, but allows imported product to be processed, repackaged and sold off as Irish.

“[It] puts business interests ahead of consumers’ interests. Irish consumers are being misled.

“They have a right to know the origin of meat products they purchase, while Irish producers are not getting recognition for the quality of produce.

“The current legislation, which the Director of Consumer Affairs has called unclear and subjective, cannot remain unchanged any longer in order to protect the consumer and the health status of the pig industry in Ireland.”

Mr O’Keeffe said Irish pig producers want to ensure the consumer gets authentic Irish produce when they ask for Irish pork and bacon.

“They are fed up with cases highlighting instances where some of the 50,000 tonnes of pigmeat imported annually are passed off as Irish.

“As an exporting country, Irish producers are not against imports but they do expect a level playing field and if all the regulation they must comply with is to mean anything, then country of origin labelling must be compulsory,” he said.