Cappoquin Chickens Blow Shows Feed Costs and Labelling Loopholes Hurting - Creed

Following reports that Cappoquin Chicken has gone into liquidation, Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesman, Michael Creed TD, today (Monday) said spiralling costs, particularly feed costs, and inadequate food labelling laws were significant contributory factors. Deputy Creed said the poultry industry is hurting and agri-sector jobs are under threat.

"Reports of the appointment of a liquidator to Cappoquin Chickens are the culmination of fears that have been mounting for some time. Up to 250 people employed either full time or as seasonal workers will be devastated by the news, as will the 50 producers dependent on the company's survival.

"The Fianna Fáil Government has failed to heed warnings on the impact of rising feed costs on the poultry sector and it is now clear just how hard these costs are hitting agri-business. The latest Central Statistics Office figures showed feed costs up 21.1% on last year. This is an own goal from the Government whose daft policy on the importation of GM feed is estimated to be costing the industry up to €160 million a year.

"The Cappoquin Chickens blow follows the closures of Grove Turkeys and Castlemahon Chickens. It's painfully clear that the Government must act to save the industry.
"We are also seeing the impact of quality Irish product being undermined by loopholes in our labelling laws. The 'substantial transformation' loophole allows produce which has had minimal processing in Ireland, like the addition of breadcrumbs, to be passed off as Irish. Coupled with misleading labelling this means Irish produce and cheap imports are not competing on a level playing field.

"Fine Gael's campaign on labelling laws has fallen on deaf ears in Government so far but the prospective liquidation of Cappoquin Chickens has to be a wake-up call. As well as the closure of the 'substantial transformation' loophole and the tightening and strict enforcement of existing labelling laws, Fine Gael wants to see the introduction of a Green Ireland label. This single, recognisable brand would help Ireland capitalise in overseas and domestic markets on its reputation as a green, healthy, quality food producer and help secure a premium price for Irish produce and Irish farmers."

200 jobs at risk at Cappoquin Chickens as feed costs and labelling loopholes hit hard - Creed

The following is the text of a statement issued by FG on the financial situation of Cappoquin Chickens. It is full of common sense and has realistic proposals to address the problems faced by Ireland's poultry industry. Is any one in Government circles listening? Will the Government stand by and allow the destruction of the poultry industry which can have a bright future if buttressed by realistic Government policies.This Government has adopted stone age Green Party policy on the importation of GM feed. It has also failed to address labelling loopholes.

FG Statement:

Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesman, Michael Creed TD, today (Thursday) raised in the Dáil the financial situation of Cappoquin Chickens which is under examinership. Deputy Creed said spiralling input costs and competition from cheap imports, which can take advantage of flawed labelling laws, were eating into farm profits and threatening agri-sector jobs.This Government has adopted idiotic Green Party policy on the importation of GM feed

"200 people are employed at Cappoquin Chickens and for them the news that an interim examiner has been appointed will be devastating. The wider implications for the agri-food industry are alarming. "The Government has failed to heed warnings on the impact of rising feed costs on the poultry sector and it is now clear just how hard these costs are hitting agri-business. CSO figures this week showed all farm inputs increasing in cost, with feed up 20%.

"The fact is daft Government policy on the importation of GM feed, introduced as a sop to the Green Party, is costing the industry up to €160 million a year. The new Agriculture Minister will be keenly aware of the closure of Grove Turkeys in Monaghan just a few months ago and, with Cappoquin now in trouble, he must undo the damage done by his Government's GM policy shift.

"We are also seeing the real impact of quality Irish product being undermined by loopholes in our labelling laws. The 'substantial transformation' loophole allows produce which has had minimal processing in Ireland, like the addition of breadcrumbs, to be passed off as Irish. Coupled with mislabelling this means Irish produce and cheap imports are not competing on a level playing field.

"Fine Gael's campaign on labelling laws has fallen on deaf ears in Government so far but the plight of Cappoquin Chickens is a grim wake-up call. As well as the closure of the 'substantial transformation' loophole and the tightening and strict enforcement of existing labelling laws, Fine Gael wants to see the introduction of a Green Ireland label. This single, recognisable brand would help Ireland capitalise in overseas and domestic markets on its reputation as a green, healthy, quality food producer and help secure a premium price for Irish produce and Irish farmers."

Ireland: Proposed World Trade Deal could mean BSE, Bird Flu & Foot and Mouth on your plate - Creed

According to Michael Creed -Fine Gael Agriculture & Food Spokesperson- the World Trade Deal could open floodgates to inferior quality food.
European consumer agencies have continuously focussed their attention on the price of food. Of course this is only right and proper. However less attention is paid to the dangers posed by cheap food imports to the EU. These are generally produced to inferior standards and in some cases may pose a threat to health. In many cases there is little traceability. EU farmers have been crushed by regulation and red tape. The highest standards of traceability are a sine qua non.
The EU Commission has failed to insist on the same levels of traceability for beef and chicken imports.

The Commission appears determined to sacrifice EU agriculture to ensure greater access to Third World markets for industrial exports. It is prepared to sacrifice security of supply. It appears negligent in its attitude to health threats posed by food imports to the EU.

The FG party has decided to put down a Private Members Motion in the Dail:
The following is the text of the FG press release:

Fine Gael Agriculture & Food Spokesperson Michael Creed TD has warned consumers of the threat posed to Food Safety in this country by the proposed World Trade deal currently being negotiated. Speaking prior to this week's FG Private Members' Motion calling on the Government to take action to prevent the deal being finalised, Creed has issued a stark warning to Irish consumers.

"Irish food producers have worked tirelessly, and invested heavily to ensure that the food on our tables is of the highest quality and fully traceable to source. The current World Trade Deal on offer will mean that all their efforts were in vain - as the EU market will become fully exposed to imports from dollar-a-day economies, where hygiene, food safety and animal welfare are non-issues.
"The Government has failed in their responsibility to consumers, by not ensuring that food safety is a pre-requisite to any World Trade deal. We will be subjected to Battery Poultry from Asia, Brazilian Beef which has already been condemned by the European Food and Veterinary Office, and who knows whatever else from every corner of the world.
"It is widely believed that agreement on the World Trade Deal is imminent. Consumers need to be made aware of the potential horrors that are in store if the Government doesn't act now."
Ends

Text of Fine Gael Private Members' Motion below:
That Dáil Éireann Notes:
- With concern the political failure of the Government to have non-trade issues debated in the context of the World Trade Organisation Talks.
- The concessions already made to the WTO by the EU in CAP reforms in 2003.
- The failure of the Government to honour its own commitments in this regard as outlined in the Programme for Government.
- The fact that the current proposals would devastate Irish Agriculture and in particular would decimate the Irish Beef Sector with the loss of thousands of jobs both at Primary Producer and Processing Level.
- That the Common Agricultural Policy currently provides EU consumers with a safe and secure supply of food produced to the highest environmental and animal welfare standards.
- The financial consequences to the Irish economy to be at least €4 Billion P.A.
The current conflict between the WTO proposals as pursued by Commissioner Mandelson and Article 39.1 of the Treaty of Rome.
Calls on the Government:
- To mount a major political and diplomatic initiative to protect the Common Agricultural Policy and Irish Agricultural interests.
- To ensure that food safety & security, climate change, animal welfare, and human health interests are priorities in the context of any future agreement in the WTO.
- To immediately publish a sectoral analysis on the impact of the current proposals for Irish Agriculture.
- To signal its willingness to use all necessary measures to defeat the current WTO proposals.

EU Restrictions on Brazilian beef-unanswered questions

The EU's Food and Veterinary Office in its missions to Brazil has encountered chronic abuse of production standards as has an IFA delegation. The US, Australia, Japan and South Korea have banned all imports of beef from Brazil yet the EU has only introduced a partial ban. Why is the EU insisting on higher standards of traceability from its farmers than from Brazilian farmers?

The EU Commission appears to have an agenda to restrict production by indigenous farmers and to sell out on agriculture. The Commission is determined to increase access to the Brazilian market for manufacturing industry. As a quid pro quo it will allow access to Community markets for Brazilian beef.

The EU has lambasted the US on its emissions of Greenhouse Gases. Yet the EU Commission is prepared to accept imports of Brazilian Beef from ranches in Amazonia. These ranches have been created through the burning of the rain forests. This practice continues and is increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Why has the EU Commission chosen to ignore damage to the environment caused by ranchers in the Amazon Basin?

Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan had refused to support a full ban on beef imports from Brazil. Then 24 hours before the EU announcement of a partial ban she called for a full ban. Why the about-turn?

Michael Creed the FG Spokesman on Agriculture has stated that "Brazil should face a total ban until it is meeting the production standards that Irish and European producers are obliged to meet and EU consumers are entitled to expect." In this he has been totally consistent unlike the Minister.

Threat to consumers and primary producers confirmed by EU report on Brazil - Creed

Fine Gael Agriculture Spokesperson, Michael Creed TD, has said that all the evidence that is needed for an immediate ban on the importation of Brazilian beef is contained in the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) report published today (Wednesday).
"The FVO found:
- The Brazilian State Veterinary Service had no systematic audit system for animal health,
- and no criteria for such an audit established.
- Cold stores in ports dealing with beef destined for Europe were not audited.
- There was a lack of adequate trained staff in the State Veterinary Service.
- Shortcomings that previous FVO investigations had identified had not been addressed.
- The 90-day residence rule on cattle destined for EU was regularly broken.
- Insufficient protection against rodents and insects by food business operators.
- Operation hygiene could not be fully guaranteed.

"Any rational analysis of these finding could only conclude that it is well past time for a ban on Brazilian beef imports. Following the publication of the report the Agriculture Minister can no longer stand over a situation where Irish farmers are subject to a rigorous set of standards while forced to compete with sub-standard and unsafe products from Brazil."

Fine Gael Introduces A Private Members Motion On Food Labelling In The Dail This Evening

In a move which has got little media attention Fine Gael is introducing a motion in the Dail this evening to bring in comprehensive food labelling legislation. This move is welcome. For some strange reason Irish consumers expect to secure cheap food in perpetuity. To produce cheap food it is often necessary to import lower quality raw materials than the indigenous product.
In Ireland there is a tendency among consumers to adopt a cavalier attitude to food safety until some health scare emerges.

Fine Gael MEPs Avril Doyle and Colm Burke have called on Mr Kyprianou the EU Health Commissioner to act immediately to protect consumers.
"I am convinced that there is a serious argument and sound scientific case for banning Brazilian beef imports due to the lack of traceability, the availability of veterinary medicines without prescription, and the risk of the use of growth hormones," Ms Doyle said.

According to FG Agriculture spokesman Michael Creed:
"There are inadequacies in the Irish labelling regime and we are attempting to force Government action through a Private Members' Motion in the Dáil this evening. One important issue is a loophole in our labelling laws known as 'substantial transformation' which means that meat which is imported into this country and which undergoes minimal processing, such as the addition of breadcrumbs or seasoning, can be labelled as Irish.

"Government Ministers in the Departments of Health and Agriculture must get their act together to bring in the relevant legislation to protect consumers and support the economically and socially important agri-food sector. The Minister has claimed that legislation is forthcoming but both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have confirmed to me in the Dáil that no such legislation is promised in the near future.

"It is not acceptable for the Government to keep this issue on the back burner when food safety, transparency and traceability are of massive public concern. We are calling on the Government to act urgently to protect consumers and the agri-food industry and we will support the introduction of comprehensive legislation at the earliest opportunity."

Thankfully one Irish political party is taking this issue seriously.