Walsh’s panel for food labelling meets
Minister Walsh, who attended the meeting, said he set up the group because of growing consumer concern over labelling.
“All of us, as consumers, want to have enough information on food products to allow us to make a considered decision before making such a purchase,” he said.
The group has been asked to look at consumer expectations of labelling, and to identify gaps in legislation or its implementation.
“There is a massive amount of legislation in place to provide consumer protection, with traceability from ‘farm to the fork’ being the key component,” Mr Walsh said.
The department had put in place the most advanced livestock traceability system in the EU, he said.
“There is, however, concern that certain imports may not be up to the same level of traceability as the domestically-produced product.”
The minister pointed out that the areas of responsibility for food labelling were diverse and involved a range of departments and state bodies.
“The current administrative system has evolved over many years, but I believe that we have now reached a stage where it is opportune to examine these arrangements and see if any improvements can be effected which would provide for greater cohesiveness and service for the consumer.”
The group, to report before Christmas, is headed by Ned Sullivan, who has experience in the food and drinks industry with Baileys Cream and Glanbia, and was An Bord Bia chairman.
Other group members are Jarlath Coleman (Department of Agriculture and Food), Mary Kearns (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment), John Nolan (Office of Director of Consumer Affairs), Bill Paterson (Tesco Ireland), Gary Kearney and Siobhán McEvoy (Department of Health and Children), Ruth Davis (Food Safety Authority), Pat Brady (Associated Craft Butchers), Fiona Lalor and John Matthews (IBEC), Richard Donohoe (Consumers Association), Mairéad McGuinness (Consumer Liaison Panel), Marion O’Connell (RGDATA), Gerard Brickley (An Bord Bia), John Smith (Irish Meat Association), Ned Walsh (IFA), and Una Gallagher (ICMSA).
