EU's Food labelling proposals “A complete shambles”

A report recommending new European food labelling rules has been branded a "complete shambles" which will mislead consumers by UKIP’s agriculture spokesman, East of England MEP, Stuart Agnew.

Mr Agnew said: "The rules recommended by the Sommer Report have been rushed through on the basis of insufficient information and will lead to greater confusion over where food has come from. Even Ms Renate Sommer, the MEP responsible for the report, thought it was moving too fast.

"UKIP voted against the Sommer Report in the European Parliament (16.6.10) because it is muddled, sloppily-drafted and fails to ensure that there will be country of origin labelling for simple foods like meat and eggs. Our policy is to support country of origin labelling to help producers to sell their goods and for consumers to know with certainty where the food they are eating comes from. Despite these very serious problems with the report, MEPs overwhelmingly approved it by 559 votes to 54.

"We have rejected the report because it fails to defend the interests of farmers and consumers, and will allow large retailers to confuse the consumer. It is a complete shambles."