HC Deb 06 July 1999 vol 334 c502W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make the labelling of food by country of origin compulsory; and if he will make a statement. [88854]

Mr. Rooker

Food labelling rules require country of origin labelling only where it is needed to avoid misleading consumers. Since these rules are harmonised throughout the European Community any additional requirements for country of origin labelling could be introduced only at European level. Retailers may, of course, provide country of origin information on a voluntary basis, provided what they give is true and not likely to mislead the consumer.