In a statement timed to coincide with British Food Fortnight (17 September - 2 October) the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called for mandatory method of production food labelling, which could offer post-Brexit UK food producers and farmers a unique selling point if animal welfare standards are maintained.

The vets’ organisation said method of production labelling would be an appropriate response to growing consumer consciousness about how animals are kept and killed. Backing up its calls, BVA said that research has shown 80% of EU consumers want information on the farm system used to produce their meat or dairy products.

BVA has joined the Labelling Matters campaign, which wants mandatory method of production labelling on meat and dairy products, to answer frequent consumer questions, like "How was this animal kept?" and "Did this animal die a humane death?” (the Association has already campaigned on stunning before slaughter).

The Labelling Matters campaign believes that labelling should be backed by on-farm welfare assessments, ensuring that labelling is accurate and high welfare standards are being achieved.

Method of production labelling in the meat and dairy sectors would resemble the system that already exists for shell eggs. Fresh eggs sold in the UK must be labelled either as “eggs from caged hens”, “barn eggs”, “free range” or “organic”. BVA and Labelling Matters wants to see this principle extended to meat and dairy products from other farmed animals.


Commenting on Saturday, BVA President Sean Wensley said, "For vets it's a top priority that the animals we rear for food have a good life and a humane death. Research shows that vets are not alone in caring about where their food comes from.

“Mandatory method of production labelling makes sense on a number of fronts: consumers can be clearly and consistently informed about how the animals reared for their meat and dairy products were kept, with on-farm welfare assessments assuring high standards. Mandatory method of production labelling would give unambiguous information to the high numbers of consumers who care about animal welfare when buying meat and dairy products and help ensure market support for British farmers who pride themselves on achieving the highest welfare standards."