Coveney introduces new country of origin labelling rules

The new rules, which will come into effect on Wednesday, will provide for country of origin labelling on packaged meat products and will add to the existing country of origin rules in place for beef.

A label now must indicate the name of the Member State or third country (i.e. country outside the EU) where the animal was reared and slaughtered. If it happens that the animal was reared in one country and slaughtered in another, the label must name both these countries.

If, however, the animal was born, reared and slaughtered in one Member State or third country, and the food business operator (FBO) can prove to the competent authority that this is the case, then the label may just state the name of the one country.

'Loose' products or non-pre-packaged meat are not included in the EU regulations underpinning these rules. However, the EU Regulations provide that mandatory origin labelling may be extended to 'loose' product by national rules. Today Minister Coveney indicated his Department is working with the Department of Health to determine whether this can be done in Ireland on the basis of existing primary legislation.

Exemptions for minced meat products

The regulations include an exemption for minced meat and trimmings which allows FBOs to bypass, if they wish, the requirements for Member States or third countries to be specified.

For example ‘Origin: EU’ can be used when the minced meat comes from animals born, reared and slaughtered in different EU countries or ‘Reared and slaughtered in: non-EU’ for those either reared or slaughtered or both outside the EU.

Comment

Speaking at the introduction of the new labelling rules today, Simon Coveney said the regulation is "yet another step in providing even clearer and more detailed information to consumers with regards to the food that they purchase.

"Origin labelling has been in place for beef for many years now and has benefitted the consumer in being able to identify the origin of the products they purchase. This additional requirement to provide information on the origin of other meats to consumers is broadly consistent with the rules on beef and adds transparency for consumers.”