Catering outlets in Scotland will have to label beef with country of origin
UK - Restaurants, pubs and other catering outlets in Scotland will soon have to tell their customers the country of origin of the beef they sell, the Scottish Executive has announced.
9 February 2007
1 minute read
The move has been described as “a significant step forward” by NFU Scotland which included the country of origin issue in its recent farming ‘manifesto’.
The move will not become law until after the Holyrood elections because of a requirement to consult the European Commission for three months before the Scottish Parliament can start considering the legislation.
NFUS president John Kinnaird said: “Consumers are increasingly looking out for high quality local food, produced to the highest standards. However, in the catering sector, very often the public haven’t had a clue as to the origin of beef being sold.
“Many have mistakenly eaten beef they presume to be Scottish when it is in fact imported from halfway round the world.
“That will now change and Scottish farmers and consumers will be the beneficiaries. Of course, the principle of clear labelling is one that must be promoted across the whole food industry.”
Rural affairs minister Ross Finnie said: “It will be important that we achieve this without imposing unnecessary burdens.
Source: Farmers Weekly Interactive
