In photo: Huw with local NFU members
Huw has called on the Government to make country of origin food labelling more transparent, so it is easier for consumers to confidently buy British produce.
As matters currently stand, some meat products that are packaged in the UK are allowed to state UK origin even if the raw meat was imported from another country. The National Farmers Union has been campaigning for food to be clearly labelled so consumers can make an informed choice.
As the MP’s constituency is 90% rural, Huw works closely with local farmers and the National Farmers Union (NFU) to support local agriculture. The issue of food origin labelling was raised with Huw at a recent farming meeting. It is not always clear to consumers if a product is 100% British or if some of it contains products which have been sourced outside of the UK. Huw’s constituents want to be able to make informed choices about the food products they buy and animal welfare is very important to them.
In Parliamentary Questions to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Mr Merriman highlighted that despite residents wanting to buy British, food labelling is often “confusing and misleading as to country of origin”. He called on DEFRA to utilise technology to clarify confusion and make sure the true origin of produce is available for consumers to view before they buy.
Farming and Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis MP, confirmed that the department is looking into “possible technological solutions to labelling issues, for example, using QR codes”.
