July 11, 2011

Europe's meat products must show country of origin

Westcountry consumers will be able to support British meat in the supermarket after Europe agreed to introduce new rules forcing producers to display the country of origin.

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) in the South West hailed the compulsory labelling of meat from pigs, sheep, goats and poultry as a boost for consumers.

Under current legislation, certain foods such as beef, honey, olive oil and fresh fruit and vegetables already include the country of origin. The European Parliament voted this week to extend the mandatory requirement to lamb, pork and poultry from 2015.

NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond said the decision followed more than seven years of persistent lobbying in the United Kingdom and Brussels. "It is a significant move to give consumers clear and honest information about the origins of their food," he added.

"We have been lobbying tirelessly in the UK, Brussels and Strasbourg for this result, talking to UK MPs, MEPs, government officials, the WI, the food industry and European Commission officials."

Adoption of the Food Information To Consumers report will also tighten up the law to ensure that shoppers are not misled by the appearance, description or pictorial presentation of food packaging.

Meats, such as ham, which consist of combined meat parts, must be labelled "formed meat", tables of nutrition values will be made compulsory and allergens must be listed in the ingredients.

However, members stopped short of making it obligatory to list the country of origin for meat that is used as an ingredient.

Raymond added, "There is more work to be done to make sure origin labelling is extended to processed meats and dairy products."