Dispute over meat labelling to intensify

The Government has been accused of promoting business interests over the wishes of consumers when it comes to telling people where processed meat comes from.

Despite the huge controversy caused by the horsemeat scandal, the Department of Agriculture argues that labelling the source of meat could hinder the country’s meat sector.

Fresh beef has to have a country-of-origin label and from April the source of sheep, pork, poultry, and goat meat will also be labelled. However, burgers, sausages, cold meats, and ready-made meals do not have to be labelled.

While 90% of consumers in a recent survey said they wanted this information, the meat industry campaigned to get members of the European Parliament to vote against it.

Food and Drink Industry Ireland, a division of Ibec, wrote to MEPs asking that they vote against the proposal that the European Commission be asked to draw up new rules.

Their letter also went to Lynn Boylan, the Sinn Féin MEP who co-authored the report that was passed by a substantial majority of MEPs. “We responded that there was lots of evidence that the cost would be minimal and would enhance the industry overall”, she said.

“But then we got a note from the Department of Agriculture making much the same points, suggesting the move was misguided and that the idea needed more consideration.”

The report quoted a commission study saying that labelling could increase the costs of such foods by up to 50%. “It is not clear, however, where these costs would be borne along the supply chain,” it said.

Labelling of processed food was a much more complex issue than labelling fresh meat.

Ms Boylan accused the department of quoting costs from studies carried out by the commission that have been discredited.

Instead, she recalled that, following the pork dioxin scandal in Ireland in 2009, the joint Oireachtas committee, which included three member of the exicurrent sting government, called on the European Commission to introduce mandatory country-of-origin labelling for beef.

Ibec said labelling would be difficult for Irish companies that import meat they could not source in Ireland, or companies that have suppliers from two countries.

“It would have severe negative consequences for food manufacturers,” it said.

“While fresh meat origin will be displayed, we see no good reason why it becomes mysterious once meat goes through the mincer,” said Monique Goyens of the EU consumers group, BEUC.

A Department of Agriculture official denied that the Government is opposed to the mandatory origin labelling of processed meat, but says that further analysis is required, including the potential additional cost to consumers and the cost to the industry and the effect on trade within the EU.

He added that the Department is now looking forward to engaging with the European Commission and other member states on the issue.

A spokesperson for the European Commission said it took note of the Parliament’s vote and “will further reflect the way forward”.