The special case of Ireland with the new country of origin rules was emphasised by a delegation of Irish farming representatives who visited the Commission's Directorate General for Health and Safety and the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development. It was highlighted by the delegation that a lot of farmers are losing out due to the fact that produce born and reared on one part of Ireland and finished in another is being labelled as "mixed-origin".

"If you were to add a shake of marinade to a piece of meat it can change the country of origin that piece of meat has," said Eddie Punch, ICSA general secretary. "There is a problem where cattle moving from the Republic of Ireland to the North have no exact label."

The proposition of voluntary labelling is an option but Punch says "it is only do-able if the meat industry are willing to do it and the supermarkets are willing to buy it."

During the session with the two Directorate Generals other issues were also raised, namely the fact that certain parts of the legislation create incentives for producers to process meat in order to get around labelling requirements.

The delegation also received presentations from BEUC (European Consumer Orgnisation), Copa-Cogeca (European Agricultural representation), the Agriculture Policy Officer from the Northern Executive Office and the Permanent Representation of Ireland.

"All-in-all it was a productive visit and the representatives from Sinn Féin, Irish Farmers Association, Irish Sheep and Cattle Association, Ulster Farmers Uunion, Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, Farmers for Action and NIAPSA took full advantage of the opportunity to relay their concerns to policy makers to ensure that the voices of the Irish agricultural industry are heard," said Matt Carthy, Sinn Fein MEP.

Country of origin labelling rules causing issues

Country of origin labelling rules were imposed earlier this year, a group of Irish farming representatives travelled to Brusels to air their views.