Meat used as an ingredient in processed foods, such
as lasagne, should be labelled by country of origin
as is already the case with bovine fresh meat, said
MEPs on Wednesday. They call on the European
Commission, which published a report on the issue in
late 2013, to come up with legislative proposals in
order to rebuild consumer confidence in the wake of
the horsemeat scandal and other food fraud cases.
Depending on the member state concerned, 30 to 50%
of slaughtered meat is processed into meat
ingredients for foodstuffs, mostly minced meat, meat
preparations and meat products.
The resolution, passed
by 460 votes to 204 with 33 abstentions, urges the
Commission to follow up its 2013 report with
legislative proposals to make it mandatory to state
the country of origin of meat used in processed
foods, in order to ensure more transparency
throughout the food chain, better inform European
consumers and thus help rebuild their confidence.
"After the horse meat
scandal, it is now up to us to regain consumers'
trust. We are asking the Commission to come up with
a legislative proposal with a mandatory country of
origin labelling, because this will help to enhance
transparency and to provide clear and complete
information to the consumers”, said Environment
Committee chair Giovanni La Via (EPP, IT).
“We must nonetheless
ensure that this does not lead to additional burdens
on small and medium-sized enterprises, of which
there are many in this sector", he added.
MEPs reiterate their
concern over the potential impact of food fraud on
food safety, consumer confidence and health, the
functioning of the food chain and farm produce
prices.
Let the consumer choose
MEPs point out that the European Commission’s report
(17.12.2013) itself acknowledges that more than 90%
of consumer respondents consider it important that
meat origin should be labelled on processed food
products. This is one of the several factors
influencing consumer behaviour, MEPs say.
Impact on prices needs
further check
MEPs also point out that estimates of the impact on
prices, based on the findings of a French consumer
organisation, diverge widely from those in the
Commission’s report, and ask for a clearer picture.
The evaluation should be carried out in conjunction
with consumer organisations and would not delay
legislative proposals, they add.
For more information
European Parliament
Marco Dal Negro |