21/04/2011

The NFU has supported moves made in the European Parliament yesterday (20^th April) that the union says will give consumers a better idea of where their food comes from. The union’s announcement came after Parliament moved one step closer to introducing mandatory rules for country of origin labelling. 

The Committee for Environment, Public Health and Food Safety voted to push forward with plans to label all meat, poultry, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables with country of origin. Members also backed country of origin labelling for meat, poultry and fish when used as an ingredients in processed foods. 

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said clearer labelling would help consumers choose food produced to higher standards: “Shopping trends tell us consumers want to support British produce but under current labelling laws there is no requirement to state the country of origin. It is crazy that you can buy a chicken sandwich processed in Britain and labelled as British even if the chicken has come from Thailand. 

“We believe that clear and accurate labelling will allow consumers to make an informed choice and support high welfare and environmental standards. People buying meat and poultry products want to know where the animal was reared so they know exactly what they are eating.”  

The Environment Committee vote forms part of the parliament’s second reading on the Food Information to Consumers legislation after MEPs failed to reach an agreement with the Member State Ministers in the first reading.  

Mr Raymond said the NFU Brussels office would now lobby all MEPs to support the rules when the vote comes before full parliament in July. 

“We have been lobbying on this issue for years and there is now light at the end of the tunnel. But given some influential UK MEPs did not support today’s country of origin vote it is clear we still have some work to do before July,” he added. 

All MEPs will vote on the country of origin laws in a plenary vote in July.