Beef Labelling Scheme
Background
The regulations were adopted in response to the BSE crisis, with the aim of restoring consumer confidence in beef. The labelling system was introduced in two stages.
The first tranche of regulations came into force in September 2000. This made it compulsory for beef to be labelled with information revealing where the animal was slaughtered and butchered. This was enshrined in Irish law with
S.I. 435/2000 .
The second tranche of regulations came into force in January 2002, when beef labels were required to provide additional information stating the country in which the animal was born and reared. This was covered in Irish law by the amendment
S.I. 485/ 2002.
Required information
As a result of this and previous legislation, all beef on sale in shops must be marked with a reference code establishing:
- The country where the animal was born
- The country where the animal was reared
- The method of fattening
- The slaughterhouse
- The gender of the animal
- The date of slaughter and the age of the animal
- The method and length of the maturation of the beef
- The breed of the animal.
Applying for a beef label
A labelling specification should be submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for approval.
For beef intended for export to another EU country, the specification should be completed on form BL1. For beef intended for the domestic market, form BL2 should be used.
Verification
To verify the control system and the accuracy of the labelling information, the operator must designate an independent control body which is:
- Recognized by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- Either accredited or seeking accreditation to European Standard EN 45011, the Standard that sets out general requirements for product certification bodies.
NSAI is also recognized by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as having the authority to verify the control system and check that the accuracy of the beef labelling information is accurate.
Role of NSAI
NSAI is obliged to carry out regular risk analysis inspections. These take into account the complexity of the specification.
After each inspection, NSAI submits a report to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The first such report must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food within four months of the date of approval of the application.
This and subsequent reports must indicate:
- Whether the control system is adequate to meet the requirements of the regulations
- Any shortcomings observed during the inspections
- Any remedial measures proposed
- Deadlines for the implementation of these measures.
European legislation
The full name of the European Act which sets out requirements for beef labelling is Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products and repealing Council Regulation (EC)
No 820/97 .
To get more information about NSAI's beef labelling services, fill in our
online enquiry form
Useful links
RH Rev. 1.0