TIPP FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOOD LABELLING – MEP KELLY

Issued : Monday 28 June, 2010

Labour MEP Alan Kelly has added his voice to calls for country of origin labelling to be introduced across a wider range of meats and foods.

Munster MEP Kelly said “The current regulations must be extended right across the entire food sector to include all meat, poultry and dairy products”

“As a nation of top class food producers Ireland will benefit from increased recognition of where goods have been produced.”

 

“More information on where our food comes from and how it is produced is positive news for consumers and Irish food producers. “

 

“The new regulations would herald the arrival of meat labels indicating where the animal was born, reared and slaughtered.”

 

“Irish food produce and the Irish ‘brand’ are associated with world class, high quality products all over the globe. “

 

Country of origin labelling is already compulsory for certain foods, such as beef, honey, olive oil and fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

Kelly stressed the importance of the role played by the EU, he said “The EU must do everything in its power to ensure EU producers are given a level playing field and not subjected to unfair competition from inferior products developed at lower standards. “

“For example a Tipperary farmer operating to the highest standards, creating top class produce should not be forced to compete with substandard imports from outside the EU, produced to vastly inferior standards.”

“Just last month, I raised the issue of Brazilian beef in the European Commission and with the Brazilian Ambassador. Products cannot be allowed to be sold in the European markets that have not met European standards.”