MPs clash in heated Commons debate on food origin labelling

Shadow environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) secretary Nick Herbert blasted the government’s “warm words that have been followed by little action” in reference to Defra minister Jane Kennedy’s appearance on Jamie Oliver’s TV show in January, where she said the current system was a “disgrace”.

Herbert accused the government of using the same excuses on country of origin labelling for the past 10 years.

“Despite repeated promises, there is no adequate voluntary agreement and there is no acceptable deal in Europe,” he said.

The Conservatives are proposing a draft bill to require the labelling of meat ingredients that account for 10% of a product. A “typical” ready meal would be covered, but not a pepperoni pizza, Herbert explained.

In response, Kennedy agreed it was important that consumers were not misled but that it was equally important to find a “practical, proportionate solution”.

“People want to know, and have a right to know, where their food comes from, [but we do not want] unnecessary and burdensome regulation which could impose additional costs within the supply chain,” she said.

Herbert contested that the government was limited by EU regulation, pointing to labelling of asparagus in Spain that “succeeded within EU rules”. “This is about political will,” he said.

Liberal Democrat shadow secretary for Defra Tim Farron said the Conservative proposal did not go far enough and labels ought to include information on environmental impact as well.

“The answer must be a simple and straightforward labelling system that incorporates all that information,” he said.

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