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Meat labelling code only addresses part of a bigger problem
23 February 2010
Commenting on the announcement by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today that the leading supermarkets have signed up to a voluntary code of practice setting how foreign meat should be labelled in the UK, Friends of the Earth's senior food campaigner Vicki Hird said:
"Shoppers need to feel confident that a British label means they're really buying British, but a voluntary scheme that meat producers, caterers and retailers can opt out of isn't enough - it must be compulsory for everyone.
"However, labelling meat as British fails to address the damaging impact of imported animal feeds - UK factory farms are driving environmental destruction in South America because rainforests are being cleared to grow soy.
"The Government must support planet-friendly British farming by helping farmers to grow animal feed here in the UK, and provide shoppers with meat that's UK born, bred and fed."
Notes to Editors
1. Friends of the Earth is calling for the UK government to move towards planet-friendly farming with its Food Chain Campaign: www.fixthefoodchain.com.
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Feb 2010
