Source: Michael Fielding, MEATINGPLACE, 2/17/14


A European Commission proposal that would allow pork to be labeled as “reared” in an EU country even if the pig had spent only four months there has been rejected by Parliament. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) argued that origin labeling rules for fresh, chilled and frozen meat of pigs, sheep, goats and poultry should be modeled on the stricter ones already in place for beef, so as not to mislead consumers.

Under the proposal, labels would indicate only the countries of raising and slaughter. Pork could be labeled as “reared” in a member state if the pig had lived there for just four months or for just one month in the case of poultry. The European Commission did not propose mandatory labeling of the place of birth, even though Parliament repeatedly has requested it.

Origin labels for beef were made mandatory in response to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) crisis. EU beef labeling rules have been in place since Jan. 1, 2002. The European Parliament repeatedly has called for the regulation to be extended to other types of meat.

“Consumers want the full picture of the meat supply chain, which is why I am calling for the place of birth, rearing and slaughter to be labeled. Many people want to know whether animals have come from places with good welfare standards, and how far they have been transported, for ethical and environmental reasons," MEP Glenis Willmott, who drafted the resolution, said in a news release. "We already have these rules in place for beef, and I don't see why we shouldn't have the same for pigs, chickens, sheep and other meat animals.”

MEPs point out that the origin of meat is a major concern among consumers. Recent food scandals, including the fraudulent substitution of horse meat for beef, have shown that consumers both want and need stricter rules for traceability and consumer information, they have said.

MEPs also have called on the Commission to delete any exceptions from the implementing rules for ground meat and trimmings.

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