Defra has opened a consultation on possible reforms to food labelling that would require businesses to include information on animal welfare.
Farming minister Victoria Prentice said the consultation was seeking to hear views on which welfare standards could form the basis of a possible food label for animal welfare, and what the label might look like. Defra is also looking for information on the potential scope, regulation, and enforcement of such a labelling scheme.
Farming minister Victoria Prentice said the consultation was seeking to hear views on which welfare standards could form the basis of a possible food label for animal welfare, and what the label might look like. Defra is also looking for information on the potential scope, regulation, and enforcement of such a labelling scheme.
“Evidence would be particularly welcome on potential impacts on businesses, and also on the effectiveness of labelling at influencing farmer, business and consumer behaviour,” Defra said.
Defra is looking for views from businesses about the following:
- How to define the welfare standards that underpin a labelling system
- How labelling could be regulated
- What a label might look like, including views on international examples
- What products could fall in scope of any labelling reform, and the differential impacts of this
- How to monitor and enforce labelling for animal welfare
There will be a wider review of food labelling as part of the UK Government’s Food Strategy White Paper where there may be a need for future public consultation.
More information and the link for submitted evidence can be found here:
Call for Evidence – Labelling for Animal Welfare – Defra – Citizen Space