Delays Forecast for Labelling Regulations

EU - Proposals are being discussed in Europe to simplify and rationalise the current food labelling regulations.
calendar icon 26 November 2008
clock icon 2 minute read

The aim is to improve the rules and at the same time give clearer information to consumers about ingredients and nutritional values of the food.

According to a British Pig Executive briefing note one of eh key elements of the new regulations will be origin labelling.

BPEX says that while the proposal maintains the position that origin labelling should remain voluntary, if the failure to give such information might mislead the consumer, it becomes mandatory.

"Where origin labelling is applied, criteria are introduced for the declaration of country origin or place of provenance of multi-ingredient products, products where the ingredients originate from different place than the finished product," says the BPEX brief.

"Provision is made for voluntary 'EC' origin labelling.

"In the case of meat the rules for beef and veal remain compulsory under the existing legislation as part of the BSE protection measures. For other meats labelling remains voluntary under the proposal though rules are proposed to provide information on place of birth, rearing and slaughter where origin is declared."

BPEX adds that the new regulations have to go through the European Parliament and although there is little support for origin labelling from the industry "COMAGRI (committee of agriculture) and COMIMCO (on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection) are clearly in favour of compulsory origin labelling".

However, BPEX adds that while the report on the new regulations is to be presented next month and is expected to have its first hearing in April next year, the whole issue could be delayed by the European Parliamentary elections and the formation of a new European Commission.

TheCattleSite News Desk

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