German agriculture minister demands progress on food origin labelling

DPA
·2 min read
German Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Ozdemir speaks to fruit growers during a visit to the North German Fruit Growing Trade Fair in Altes Land. Ozdemir has called for the swift expansion of mandatory EU-wide origin labelling for food after the European elections. Sina Schuldt/dpa
German Minister of Food and Agriculture Cem Ozdemir speaks to fruit growers during a visit to the North German Fruit Growing Trade Fair in Altes Land. Ozdemir has called for the swift expansion of mandatory EU-wide origin labelling for food after the European elections. Sina Schuldt/dpa

German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir has called for the swift expansion of mandatory EU-wide origin labelling for food after the European elections.

Unfortunately, the European commissioner responsible for the process has yet to press ahead despite promising to do so, he told dpa. "Given the European elections are being held in two weeks, this is no longer to be expected, so I have no illusions," he stated.

The plans should not simply be quietly forgotten, Özdemir said, calling on the current European Commission to properly hand over the issue so that progress can finally be made.

Özdemir said he would raise the issue again at the adviser meeting of EU agriculture ministers on Monday.

Germany and Austria are jointly demanding a swift proposal for extended mandatory labelling, which would enable shoppers to make informed decisions about what they buy while also strengthening the position of domestic farmers.

The project is part of the European Commission's Farm to Fork strategy for more sustainable agriculture which includes extending labelling to products such as milk, dairy products, meat products, rice and processed tomatoes.

"Everyone benefits when the origin of food is advertised in brochures, at the counter or in farm shops," Özdemir said. It means consumers can opt for greater animal welfare, regional added value and high environmental standards.

Labelling goods "Made in Germany" will help farmers to be more competitive on the market, he said.

"Because the Commission's proposals are a long time coming, we have already gone as far nationally as we can under European law," said Özdemir.

Unpackaged pork, lamb, poultry and goat meat must since February be labelled with the country of rearing and slaughter, extending a regulation that previously applied to packaged goods and unpackaged beef.

"In the next step, we will look at extending this to out-of-home catering," said Özdemir.

Regulations presently require that food labels show the country of origin for many foods including eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Citizens across Europe are set to vote in the European elections on June 6-9.