Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:977. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if traceability records will be made publicly accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12620/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 February 2026
Ceisteanna (977)
Freagraí scríofa
The requirement for the maintenance of traceability records is set down in EU legislation in Article 18 of Regulation 178/2002 which requires that the traceability of food, feed, food-producing animals, and any other substance intended to be, or expected to be, incorporated into a food or feed shall be established at all stages of production, processing and distribution. This requires that all food business operators are able to identify all their suppliers and customers (i.e. one step forward and one step back) with some exceptions (e.g. restaurants and mass caterers are not expected to maintain data on their customers). This information must be made available to the competent authority on request. As maintenance of this data by the food business operator is legally required, and auditable, traceability information is not centrally stored and is not made publicly accessible.