December 14, 2009

UK processors and retailers agree on new pork labelling practice

A new code of practice has been agreed by British processors and retailers, and the move has been hailed as a breakthrough over what has been a long-dragging affair.

The new code of practice will ensure that if a label says the meat is British of origin, the meat will just be British, said Defra.

The agreement, currently drawn up for signatures, says "British' should mean born, reared and slaughtered in Britain, not just processed and packed in Britain. Ambiguous statements such as "Produced in the UK" will need to be accompanied by a declaration of meat origin, even if it is in a UK-made sausage.

Defra said talks are going on in various directions concerning labelling.