An Taisce has criticised the Government's failure to implement EU regulations on the labelling of fish products that became applicable over 18 months ago.
The introduction of labelling that will identify the sea of origin of fish and indicate whether it is farmed or wild is "an important quality-of-life issue", according to An Taisce. It urged the Government to act quickly to give consumers information that concerns them.
The need for more labelling was highlighted recently when the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, expressed concern over reports that radioactive waste had been found in farmed Scottish salmon. However, because of the Government's failure to implement the labelling regulations, consumers have no way of telling where the fish they buy is produced.
The Department of the Marine is responsible for implementing the EU regulations on fish labelling, which became applicable on January 1st, 2002.
According to a department spokesman, national regulations are currently being drafted. Work is at "an advanced stage" and will be implemented later in the year.
He defended the delay by saying the Government could not prosecute any cases under EU regulations until these were transposed into national law. Although EU regulations applied immediately, the spokesman said, case law indicated the Government could not enforce these to the detriment of any of its citizens until they were transposed into national law.
The regulations specify that fish products sold to the consumer must indicate the species of fish involved, the production method (whether farmed or caught at sea or in freshwater) and the catch area.
The regulations apply to pre-packaged products as well as those sold loose over the counter. In the latter case, the information may be stated on a notice near the food.
