Consumer Group Campaigns For Origin of Meat Labelling
10 Feb 2015 --- European consumer rights campaigners (BEUC) are today taking the opportunity to lobby the European Parliament about regulations for origin of meat labelling. The European Parliament will meet in Strasbourg, France tomorrow (11 Feb) to vote on the issue.
BEUC has sent a postcard to members of the European Parliament to draw attention to the impending vote and lobby MEPs to vote in favour of implementing origin of meat labelling.
Research shows that 90% of European consumers want to know where the meat in their chicken nuggets or ready-made lasagne comes from, but country of origin labelling is at manufacturers’ discretion for now.
Currently, the only meat that requires country of origin labelling by law is fresh and frozen beef.
Last month, the Parliament’s Committee for Environment, Food Safety and Public Health overwhelmingly called for country of origin labelling of meat in processed foods. Backing by the whole European Parliament will send a strong signal to the European Commission of the need for a law reflecting EU consumers’ wish for a more transparent meat supply chain.
Monique Goyens, BEUC’s Director General, commented: “Consumers have a keen interest in the source of their food, even more so when it comes to meat. 9 out of 10 want to know the origin of the meat in their burger or ham. While fresh meat origin will be displayed, we see no good reason why it becomes mysterious once meat goes through the mincer.
“If the European Parliament is looking for a way to restore consumers’ trust in their food and drive the market forward, making origin info mandatory for processed meat is one important way to proceed.
“It means food manufacturers will have a clearer overview of what ends up on our plates. This can help make infamous episodes like the 2013 horsemeat scandal less likely to happen.
“The EU is often seen as too distant from its citizens. Well, this vote is the opportunity for MEPs to respond to calls for change from 90% of Europeans.”
