HL Deb 26 March 2001 vol 624 cc12-3WA
Lord Tebbit

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 5 March (H.L. Deb., col. 4), why the rules designed to prevent consumers from being misled about the true nature, substance or quality of beef imports do not apply to lamb, pork or bacon. [HL1191]

The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Hayman)

The EU beef labelling rules and the cattle tracing system on which they are dependent arose directly from concerns over the public health implications of BSE. No similar concerns have arisen in respect of sheepmeat or pigmeat, and thus no parallel rules have been promulgated for labelling and tracing in those sectors. False or misleading labelling of any product is an offence under food law and consumer protection legislation. The Government have issued advice to enforcement authorities and industry, making it clear that origin claims must be clearly worded so that they do not mislead, particularly as to the origin of ingredients.