May 7, 2007

EU member countries oppose poultry labeling scheme

The EU has aborted plans for a labeling scheme for poultry pending a more comprehensive approach.

The poultry labelling plan was proposed so that farmers' new battery hen welfare proposals would be more acceptable to the public.

However, member countries apparently prefer a more ambitious plan covering all commodities, based on an EU label to be used on organic food.

It has been reported that farmers would likely be suspicious that their attempt to allow more information for consumers have been thwarted by supermarket and food processors.

The latter is expected to oppose any moves that would limit their ability to source globally.