§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to ensure that farm produce is labelled by country of origin. [30837]
§ Mr. RookerRules on the labelling of farm produce are harmonised in the EC. Generally, the place of origin of any food must be given if omitting it could mislead the purchaser about the true place of origin of that food. More specifically, regulated fresh fruit and vegetables are required to be marked with the country of origin at all points of sale by EC marketing standards regulations. In October last year we launched the Beef Labelling Scheme which provides for the accurate labelling of beef. With effect from 1 April any beef labelled with country of origin information must have derived from animals born, reared and slaughtered in that country. It is envisaged that national origin labelling of beef will become compulsory by the year 2000.