Source: European Parliament
The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 1337/2013[1] introduced the compulsory indication of the country of origin or place of provenance for swine, poultry, sheep and goat meat from 1 April 2015.
Member States have the primary responsibility to monitor the application of the relevant legal provisions, ensuring compliance with EU law.
The Commission evaluated[2] rules on meat origin labelling in 2021 and concluded that existing traceability systems in conjunction with legislation on identification and registration of livestock provide all the information needed for operators to correctly label meat origin.
Competent authorities reported no systematic difficulties or problems in implementing the regulation or verifying origin labelling requirements.
According to Regulation (EU) 2017/625[3] the competent authorities of Member States must perform official controls on animals and goods, which includes the inspection of traceability and labelling related to information of consumers. These controls must be performed on a risk basis with appropriate frequency.
EU agriculture is market oriented, and demand driven. Farmers’ production decisions respond to consumer preferences and market opportunities.
Member States can support the sector in their Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plans, including Coupled Income Support for sheep and goats or specific sectorial interventions.
CAP support is also available for farmers applying sustainable production methods, and the common market Organisation offers tools for strengthening farmers’ position in the food supply chain.
- [1] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1337/2013 of 13 December 2013 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the indication of the country of origin or place of provenance for fresh, chilled and frozen meat of swine, sheep, goats and poultry, OJ L 335, 14.12.2013, p. 19-22 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2013/1337/oj.
- [2] REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL evaluating the mandatory indication of the country of origin or place of provenance for meat of swine, poultry, sheep and goat. COM/2021/462 final. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52021DC0462.
- [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/625/oj/eng.