Press Release
24/02/2010Food Labelling: Informing, not patronising, the consumer - EPP Group wins important vote. Anna-Maria Corazza Bildt MEP and Andreas Schwab MEP
The EPP Group's position to provide better and correct information to consumers rather than directing their choice gained a majority yesterday in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee of the European Parliament (IMCO).EPP Group key proposals went through successfully. Food labelling has been a controversial and much debated issue. The proposal for a Regulation aims at improving the criteria for general food labelling in the EU and updates existing legislation.
The EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur, Anna-Maria Corazza Bildt MEP, managed to reach agreement on several compromises with the other political groups before the vote: "Our aim is to reduce red tape for small and medium sized enterprises, while providing better information to the consumers throughout Europe", said Corazza Bildt. "We found compromises on a lot of important issues for both consumers and business operators, without giving up our core values, freedom for the consumer."
The EPP Group believes that traffic light labelling is alarming and keeps consumers in the dark. Colour coding does not respect consumer diversity, it dictates their health choices and categorises food in an oversimplified way: "We are not supposed to patronise consumers, but provide them with correct, simple and legible information on the product content. We support the consumer's right for an aware, active and free choice", continued Corazza Bildt.
Important compromise along the EPP Group line was also reached on the controversial country of origin labelling: "We focused on meeting consumers who wish to know where the meat on their plates comes from", highlighted Corazza Bildt.
Furthermore, consumers will benefit from a comprehensive nutrition declaration, stricter rules against imitation ingredients and clear information on allergy substances.
The EPP Group also succeeded in excluding wine, spirits and beer from this Regulation as labelling legislations are already in place for these products. However, it was agreed to including labelling for mixed alcohol beverages, so-called Alcopops, since they normally attract young people.
"By voting down the risk of having different national legislation within the EU on food labelling, we have secured a well-functioning food market in Europe. This leads to improved transparency, competition and the free trade of food. Removing fragmentation gives the consumer more clarity and possibility to compare products and prices, while reducing costs for the industry. I am glad that we have achieved an opinion that strikes a balance between consumer and the industry, a 'win-win' situation", concluded Corazza Bildt.
For further information:
Anna-Maria Corazza Bildt MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845128
Andreas Schwab MEP, Tel: +32-2-2845938
Per Heister, EPP Group Press & Communications Service, Tel: +32-496-645530
Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 265 Members.
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