§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action she is taking to improve the accuracy of the labelling of foods with particular reference to the list of contents.
§ Mr. SoamesRules on ingredient listing on food labels are harmonised in the European Community. The United Kingdom has pressed for a review of the current exemptions and the Commission is considering this.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will require the labelling of meat which has already been thawed and then refrozen and ensure that the consumer is warned not to refreeze.
§ Mr. SoamesSuch labelling is currently required. We are consulting interested parties about a proposal to amend this requirement, since the warning cannot be justified on safety grounds.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board's timetable for the comprehensive labelling of food produce.
§ Mr. AtkinsI have been asked to reply.
The United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board was established under the European Communities Act to administer and promote the EC ecolabelling scheme in the United Kingdom. The scheme does not apply to food and, therefore, the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board has no plans for labelling food produce.