§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
How country of origin labelling for beef and fish products differs from that for other meat and foodstuffs under European Union regulations; and [HL1311]
Whether they support country of origin labelling for all meat, poultry and fish products; and what discussions they have had with the European Commission on changes to European Union regulations to allow such labelling. [HL1312]
§ Lord WarnerUnder current European Union legislation, country of origin labelling is mandatory for beef, veal, fish and shellfish, for both pre-packed130WA and loose products. Wine and certain fresh fruit and vegetables are also required to indicate country of origin. For other foodstuffs, rules state that country of origin must be given if failure to give it might mislead a purchaser to a material degree about its true origin. These rules are supported by detailed guidance to industry and enforcement authorities.
The Government support the requirement for country of origin labelling on meat and are pressing for more country of origin information on meat and certain meat products at EU level. The Commission is planning to review food labelling, with country of origin identified as one of the key issues. All member states, including the United Kingdom, have welcomed this initiative.
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What systems they have in place to ensure that Regulation (EC) No 2065/2001, as regards the labelling of fishery and aquaculture products, is enforced across the United Kingdom. [HL1314]
§ Lord WarnerEnforcement of such labelling requirements is the responsibility of local authorities. The Food Standards Agency has the responsibility to ensure that enforcement is carried out in an efficient and consistent way. Fish Labelling Regulations 2003 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland provide for enforcement of Commission Regulation 2065/2001/EC. In addition, the agency has published comprehensive guidance on its website to help enforcement bodies, consumers and businesses to become familiar with the new rules and guide local authorities on a consistent approach to enforcement.
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the labelling of colourants used in aquaculture, such as canthaxanthin, the labelling of which is obligatory in the United States; and, if so, whether they will ensure this information is forthcoming for United Kingdom consumers. [HL1315]
§ Lord WarnerThe Government support the labelling of colourants used in aquaculture, such as canthaxanthin, and have pressed successfully in Brussels for agreement to such labelling of fish from aquaculture. Negotiations are ongoing on the scope and most appropriate approach to achieve this requirement.