Horsemeat to be labelled with country of origin

Slaughter horses that travel long distances could be helped by plans for meat to be labelled with its country of origin.

Last week the European Parliament in Strasbourg voted for origin labelling on meat, dairy and fruit and vegetables — as well as meat and fish products used in processed food. The vote now goes to the EU Council of Ministers later this year.

This means that Italians — who consume 74% of horsemeat eaten in the EU — will be more aware that their meat has travelled thousands of miles from such places as Romania, Poland or Lithuania.

Jo White from World Horse Welfare, which is battling to halt the long-distance transport of slaughter horses, is delighted with the decision.

Once it becomes law, food producers have three years to update their labels, and small firms will have five years.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (24 June, ’10)

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