A public consultation process has been launched on mandatory country of origin labelling on non-prepacked meat.

Country of origin information is currently provided on beef sold loose without packaging, but the proposed new rules would also cover unprocessed meat from pigs, poultry, sheep and goats.

The rules for loose meat would mean that consumers would be informed as to the country or state where the animals are reared and slaughtered.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, said that it is important that consumers, retailers, farmers and processors, have a say in the development of these new rules and the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have.

“This is a further step in providing consumers with more practical information regarding the origin of the meat they consume,” he said.

Mr Coveney said that he believes the extension of the rules to cover non-prepacked or “loose” meat could be done “at little extra cost, using existing traceability systems, and that it would be warmly welcomed by consumers”.

The consultation process is being carried out by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and will run until the 31st of August.