New fish labelling rules welcomed by IFA
That's the view of the IFA Fish Farming Section (IFFS), welcoming the new requirements, which will be policed by enforcement officers working under contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
Irish retailers are now legally obliged to include specific information on the labelling of fish and seafood products.
IFFS executive secretary Richie Flynn said the new labels which must state the fish's country of origin and whether it is farmed or wild would ensure that consumers have full information and choice when making buying decisions.
"We believe that consumers have a right to know if their salmon was farmed in South America or Donegal and if their mussels were grown in New Zealand or West Cork," he said.
Irish salmon farmers produced 23,312 tonnes in 2001, worth over €70 million to the economy. In the same year, Irish consumers spent €14.14m on 3,936 tonnes of imported salmon.
To assist the trade in complying with the new requirements, the FSAI has joined forces with Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in issuing an information guide.
A list of 450 fish and shellfish sold in the EU has also been compiled.
The list and guide can be viewed on the FSAI website at www.fsai.ie.
