Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission
23.12.2014
Pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers,[1] the Commission submitted its report on the possibility to extend mandatory origin labelling to meat used as an ingredient to the European Parliament and the Council on 17 December 2013. The Commission has not yet taken a formal decision on how to proceed. Such a decision can only be taken once an informed discussion with the European Parliament and the Council has taken place on the basis of this report.
The regulation also requires the Commission to submit reports to the European Parliament and the Council exploring the possibility to extend mandatory origin labelling with respect to certain foods, including single ingredient products and ingredients that represent more than 50% of a food.
The Commission is preparing such reports which will take into account of the need for the consumer to be informed, the feasibility of providing the mandatory indication of the country of origin or place of provenance and an analysis of the costs and benefits of the introduction of such measures, including the legal impact on the internal market and impact on international trade.
- [1] Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25.10.2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004 (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18).