NFU celebrates new labelling laws on fresh meat

The European Parliaments decision to extend mandatory country of origin labelling to fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goats and poultry is a boost for consumers, the NFU has said.

Todays adoption of the Food Information to Consumers report is the culmination of more than seven years of persistent lobbying and detailed policy development by the NFU in the UK and through its Brussels office.

Meurig Raymond, NFU deputy president, said it was a significant move to give consumers clear and honest information about the origins of their food.

With mandatory country of origin labelling finally extended to lamb, pork and poultry, all British consumers will at last know where their fresh meat comes from, said Mr Raymond.

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.

Under the terms of the report the Commission must submit a report within two years to examine extending mandatory country of origin labelling to meat used as an ingredient in processed food.

Within three years the Commission must examine the same question with regard to other types of meat as well as milk, milk used as an ingredient, unprocessed foods, single-ingredient products and ingredients that represent more than 50 per cent of a food.

Mr Raymond added: There is more work to be done to make sure origin labelling is extended to processed meats and dairy products. Although there has been some significant progress made by many retailers and manufacturers in the UK to improve their labelling voluntarily, it is still not universal and consumers are still being confused and misled.

We will continue to push hard for mandatory country of origin labelling on processed meat and dairy products.

1) The MEP report was the result of a compromise text drawn up by representatives from the Hungarian Presidency, European Parliament and the European Commission.

2) The new regulation will be formally adopted by the Member State Ministers within four months of its adoption by MEPs.

3) The new regulations will come into force from 2015.