Consumers ‘misled’ by abuse of labelling laws

CONSUMERS are being totally misled through the abuse of labelling laws, a senior Fine Gael TD claimed yesterday.

Michael Creed, the party’s agricultural spokesman, said that the totally inadequate labelling regime had left the entire agrifood sector under threat.

Fine Gael will make this issue the subject of its private members time in the Dáil this week, which means that labelling will be debated over the course of two days in Leinster House.

Highlighting why he considered the matter to be so important, the Cork North West TD said yesterday: “Most shoppers and restaurant-goers are unaware that when they think they are purchasing Irish meat they may actually be buying New Zealand lamb, Chilean pork or Thai chicken.

“The failure of the Government to introduce comprehensive country of origin labelling in both the retail and catering sectors has left consumers in this invidious position.”

He went on to claim that a loophole in Irish labelling laws has allowed foreign foodstuffs to be labelled as Irish without penalty.

He said that if a meat imported into Ireland underwent a process of “substantial transformation” it could be labelled as Irish.

But Mr Creed said that often this meant minimal processing, such as the addition or breadcrumbs or seasoning.

“The Government has been aware of the problems with labelling laws for years but has done precious little.

“Its failure to act has left consumers shopping blindfolded and the agrifood industry under threat from inferior and third-country products masquerading as Irish,” he said.