Commission welcomes compulsory beef labelling rules

Citation

(2000), "Commission welcomes compulsory beef labelling rules", British Food Journal, Vol. 102 No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1108/bfj.2000.070102hab.009

Commission welcomes compulsory beef labelling rules

Commission welcomes compulsory beef labelling rules

The Commission welcomed the decision of the Council in July which paves the way for EU-wide compulsory beef labelling rules from 1 September 2000. Commenting on the new rules, Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, declared:

This decision marks an important step in enabling full traceability of cattle in the EU from the stable to the table. The Commission will ensure that the application of the beef labelling system is consistent with the principles of the single market.

The new provisions will apply in two stages: the first stage, to enter into force on 1 September 2000, introduces those elements which are readily available at the point of slaughter. For the second stage to apply from 1 January 2002 – the beef label will have to include in addition precise information about where the animal was born and reared.

From 1 September 2000, the label shall contain the following indications:

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  a reference number ensuring the link between the meat and the animal or animals;

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  "Slaughtered in (name of the Member State or third country) (approval number of the slaughterhouse)";

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  "Cutting in: (name of the Member State or third country) (approval number of the cutting plant)".

From 1 January 2002, the label shall in addition contain an indication of:

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  Member State or third country of birth;

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  all Member States or third countries where fattening took place.

Where the beef is derived from animals born, raised and slaughtered:

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  in the same Member State, the indication may be given as "Origin: (name of Member State)";

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  in the same third country, the indication may be given as "Origin: (name of third country)".

From 1 September 2000, for minced beef the label must contain:

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  traceability code;

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  Member State of slaughter;

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  Member State of preparation.

From 1 January 2002, the label for minced beef must contain in addition:

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  the Member State or Member States of origin, if they are different from the Member State of preparation.

The indication of the categories will not have to figure on the label.

In the run-up to the entry into force of stage two – namely up until 31 December 2001 – Member States may decide that, for beef from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the same Member State, supplementary items of information must also be indicated on labels. This can occur where sufficient details are available in the identification and registration system for bovine animals.

The new rules also provide for certain simplified labelling arrangements for beef imported from third countries. In addition, the voluntary labelling system as established in Regulation 820/97 continues for all indications other than those found in the compulsory system.