NFU Lobbying Success On Food Labelling

UK - MEPs called for new mandatory country of origin labelling requirements on food packaging during a vote in Strasbourg on Wednesday, 16 June, marking an EU success story for the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and food consumers.

18 June 2010

1 minute read

Europe

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond was at the European Parliament in Strasbourg prior to the vote, asking MEPs to stick by their party manifesto pledges to use EU rules to clear up origin labelling on food once and for all.

Following sustained lobbying from the NFU in Brussels, Strasbourg and at home, around two thirds of UK MEPs swung round to support food producers and consumers, sending a clear demand and a strong political message in favour of mandatory country of origin labelling to the other EU institutions.

The crucial amendment is part of the EU’s proposals on Food Information to Consumers and it states “the country or place of provenance shall be given for the following: meat; poultry; dairy products; fresh fruit and vegetables; other single ingredients and meat and poultry and fish used as an ingredient in processed foods”.

The report will now be passed onto EU governments in the Council of Ministers for approval.

Next steps for the UK farming unions in Brussels:

National Governments in the EU Council of Ministers will now give their position on the amendment.
If the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament do not agree, a process of negotiation called “Second Reading” will begin to try and find a compromise.