Green Label to ensure Irish food unmistakable

A DISTINCTIVE green label to clearly identify Irish food products is being proposed by Fine Gael as part of a major policy plan for the industry.

All products carrying the label would be quality assured, 100% Irish and produced and processed to the highest standards, the party revealed at Tullamore Show yesterday.

The agri-food and drink sector accounts for 8.8% of GDP, 8.4% of exports and 9.1% of total employment and has an estimated gross output valued at €16.6 billion.

Denis Naughten TD, the party's agriculture and food spokesperson who launched the proposals, said the Green Ireland label would seek to be a benchmark of food excellence, which would be recognised and accepted worldwide.

Fine Gael is also calling on the European Union to close a loophole in the definition of the term "substantial transformation" to stop imports being passed off as Irish produce.

Deputy Naughten said that it has been shown time and again that the preference of consumers in this country is to choose Irish produce over imports. But there is a need to make the food labelling system foolproof to ensure that consumers are confident that what they are buying is Irish.

"If we are serious about positioning Ireland as one of the leading food producers in the world then we cannot expose our food industry to any danger of abuse. We must take the initiative with regard to food labelling, with the critical aim of putting in place a foolproof system.

"If we do not, then we are exposing consumers, farmers and retailers to unnecessary risk. Fine Gael equally believes that it is also imperative that consumers are fully informed of the distinction between Irish and imported meats in our restaurant and catering sector," he said.

He said Fine Gael's proposals "A Fair Deal for Consumers A Fair Price for Producers" would improve the current position of Ireland's food industry for consumers, farmers and retailers.

He said the party's latest rip-off survey last month showed that consumers are paying mark-ups of over 200% on basic foodstuffs in the major supermarkets, while farmers continue to endure falling prices for their produce.