The European Parliament has voted for “meaty” labels to be banned on plant-based products.
Members of European Parliament also introduced a new definition of meat, stating that it was to be defined as “edible parts of animals”. MEPs went on to specify that names such as “steak”, “escalope”, “sausage” or “burger” must be reserved exclusively for products containing meat, and must exclude cell-cultured products.
They also voted for clearer labelling and marketing rules, stating that the term “short supply chain” should only be used for products produced in the EU with a limited number of intermediaries between the farmer and the final consumer or that are handled over a short distance or during a short time.
MEPs called for clarity on the use of terms such as “fair” or “equitable” for agricultural products. They said that the criteria for allowing such labelling should include the products’ contribution to the development of rural communities and the promotion of farmer organisation development.
Céline Imart (EPP, FR) commented during the debate: “We want to make sure that farmers have a contract with their first buyer. We need to put an end to the precarious business relations that exist right now.
“All too often they are too imbalanced. We need to guarantee fair remuneration for those who feed us, taking into account the production costs involved.
“Farm income is not just a matter of statistics or abstract figures. It is a question of justice, dignity and sometimes even survival. Those who produce our food represent our identity. This instrument is the very least we owe them.”
Food businesses in Germany signed a letter opposing the ban, which it said would make it “much more difficult for companies to sell their products”. They also suggested that Germany would be “particularly affected economically” as the largest market for plant-based alternatives.
