MEP campaigns for 'stronger origin labelling' on imported beef
Irish MEP Ciaran Mullooly is campaigning for "stronger origin labelling" on imported beef.
The Midlands-North-West MEP has welcomed a "positive response" from European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, to his campaign.
MEP Mullooly has urged the European Commission to set out a clear legislative timetable to deliver "meaningful reform".
Food labelling
The MEP said Commissioner Hansen has expressed that the commission shares the objectives of improving consumer information, strengthening traceability and reinforcing confidence in the European food chain.
"I welcome the commissioner's acknowledgement that the objectives I have raised are shared by the European Commission," MEP Mullooly said.
"That is an important first step. However, consumers and farmers now need to see that commitment translated into legislative action."
Mullooly said consumers deserve to know "exactly where their beef comes from" and has called for a clampdown on labels being "too vague" where products are of a non-EU origin.
Standards
"Irish and European livestock farmers produce beef to some of the highest food safety, environmental and animal welfare standards anywhere in the world," the MEP said.
"Those standards deserve to be recognised in the marketplace.
"Clear country-of-origin labelling helps ensure consumers can distinguish between European production and imports from third countries."
Mullooly said he has again written to Commissioner Hansen seeking greater transparency for consumers through clear country-of-origin labelling for imported beef, and a "level playing field" for European farmers by ensuring imported products are subject to equivalent transparency.
