The Government is to introduce legislation on beef-labelling, the Minister for Agriculture announced. Michael O'Regan reports.
Ms Coughlan said the issue of labelling had exercised many minds, particularly in the farming community, who felt that they were unjustly competing with beef coming from third countries.
"Unquestionably, it is the view of us all on this side of the House that we should proceed with the introduction of primary legislation," she added.
"That is the best advice that has been given to us, and that will be done under the Health Act, 1947. We hope to have that on the floor of the House fairly quickly following consultation with the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and we hope that it will address the issue."
The Fine Gael spokesman on agriculture, Mr Denis Naughten, said there was now a need for clear and concise labelling of all meat products.
This should apply from retail level right through to restaurants, hotels and catering outlets, with the country of origin specified.
"The Food Safety Authority has highlighted Irish-labelled beef that came from South America," said Mr Naughten.
"An abuse of the system is obviously happening, and I know that there is an issue regarding reprocessing," he added.
Ms Coughlan said it was very important that labelling be differentiated from traceability.Enforcement of all food-labelling regulations had been centralised in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
"This will not only streamline the enforcement measures but will also provide a one-stop shop for any complaints on the mislabelling food," she said.
She added that, as part of the centralisation of enforcement, the centralisation of food labelling policy, with the exception of fish, in both the Departments of Health and Agriculture, achieved another recommendation of the food-labelling group.