Campaigners today (23 February) called for a compulsory code on how country-of-origin information is labelled on pork products on the UK.
The UK government has unveiled plans for a voluntary scheme, which it claims will introduce “clear and honest” labelling on pork and pork products.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The National Farmers Union welcomed the move, saying the code will give shoppers “absolute clarity and transparency”.
However, environmental campaigners at Friends of the Earth, hit out at the code and demanding compulsory rules.
Friends of the Earth’s senior food campaigner Vicki Hird also argued that the UK government needed to do more to encourage UK farmers to grow feed domestically – and not import material from Latin America.
“A voluntary scheme that meat producers, caterers and retailers can opt out of isn’t enough – it must be compulsory for everyone,” Hird said.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataShe added: “Labelling meat as British fails to address the damaging impact of imported animal feeds – UK factory farms are driving environmental destruction in South America because rainforests are being cleared to grow soy.
“The Government must support planet-friendly British farming by helping farmers to grow animal feed here in the UK, and provide shoppers with meat that’s UK born, bred and fed.”
The code won support from sections of the UK retail sector. The Co-operative Group said it “fully supports” the scheme.
Kate Jones, head of food product, policy and technology at The Co-op, said: “Providing customers with the whole truth about the products they buy is at the heart of our brand, and honest and transparent labelling is something we have long championed on the consumers’ behalf.”
