Pig sector backs food labelling rules
Proposed changes to European food rules have been welcomed by English pig producers after Food Standards Agency research highlighted confusion among consumers over “country of origin” labelling.
The new rules will require manufacturers that use the country of origin labels on meat products to indicate where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered – not just where it was processed.
Eastern region producers have high standards
BPEX, representing English pig farmers, said it fully supported the EU legislative proposals which would build on the significant progress already made in the UK pig meat supply chain.
A new voluntary code of practice on the labelling of pork and pork products is now being drawn up following agreement by pig producers, processors, major food retailers, and the food service sector.
BPEX director Mick Sloyan said clearly labelled products would differentiated UK pork from imported product.
“English pig farmers have long fought for clearer labelling to provide unambiguous consumer choice and confidence.”
When introduced, companies who have sign up to the voluntary code will display the origin of the pork on the front of the packet. Meanwhile, a declaration that meat is British will mean that the animal was born, reared, and slaughtered in Britain.
The agreement will also end ambiguous terms such as ‘Produced in the UK’ which can currently be used on products that have been processed in the UK even if they contain imported meat and other ingredients.
Food Standards Agency research found consumers were aware of “origin labelling” but it was not a main concern. When asked on which foods they would like to see origin labelling, people most frequently mentioned meat and meat products.
Price and food safety information on labels were considered by consumers to be more important than country of origin labelling. But some consumers who deem the origin of their food to be important are willing to pay a small amount more for it.
Some 78% of meat and meat products now carry a country of origin statement, compared with 69% in 2005. The proportion of products giving the origin of meat ingredients has more than doubled to 44% since 2005 when it was only 19%.
