Action 10
"The Scottish Executive will assist with this work by
supporting clear food labelling in UK and EU negotiations
so consumers can identify both the country of origin of a
product and the area designation, such as Scottish."
Progress
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has policy lead on
statutory food labelling requirements including country of
origin labelling and produces specific country of origin
labelling rules for certain specified foods.
Compulsory European Union (EU) country of origin
information requirements apply to the UK as a whole as it
is an EU Member State, rather than to "regional areas" such
as Scotland. The identification of produce of Scottish
origin is largely being achieved, therefore, via voluntary
labelling and the FSA has produced Origin Labelling
Guidance Notes to assist in that area. The Executive and
FSA (Scotland) support industry guidance on voluntary
labelling.
Authentic origin claims linked to quality standards are
an effective way of identifying Scottish produce. Major
retailers have played their part in providing information
about the origin of their supply.
Future Developments
The Executive is considering the introduction of beef
labelling requirements in the food service sector.
The Commission have announced their intention to review
EC legislation on food labelling, a move which has
Executive support, particularly in terms of the opportunity
to improve country of origin labelling.
Links
http://www.food.gov.uk/
- FSA's Origin Labelling Guidance
Notes:-
http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/guidancenotes/labelregsguidance/originlabelling
Primary Action point complete although work is
ongoing.
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