EU states divided over meat labelling

Member states disagreed this week on findings in an EU report on meat origin labelling, prepared by the European Commission as a follow-up to last year’s horse meat scandal.

The report examined the possibility of extending mandatory origin labelling for all meat used as an ingredient. It considered the need for consumers to be informed, the feasibility of mandatory origin labelling, and included a cost-benefit analysis.

While many of the 28 member state delegations were in favour of introducing mandatory labelling, they were divided among those preferring indication of the specific EU member state or the specific non-EU country, and those preferring the indication to be EU or non-EU. And some member states supported origin labelling on a voluntary basis.

The report revealed that consumers are interested in the indication of the origin of meat, but are not prepared to pay the price. The more precise the information, the higher the costs will be, according to the Commission’s report.

If obliged to indicate the origin of meat, food business operators may become more selective concerning their suppliers, reduce the number of intermediaries, and avoid the use of trimmings and fat, said the authors, who also said the credibility of the system would require increased monitoring by public authorities, to prevent fraud.

On the basis of the discussion in this week’s Agriculture Council and the European Parliament, the Commission will consider what, if any, next step is appropriate. This may include a legislative proposal to regulate the origin of meat used as an ingredient in foods.