Belgium’s minister for agriculture Willy Borsus this week raised his country’s concerns about the mandatory origin labelling of milk and milk products in France.

In January 2017, labelling rules on milk products came into force in France for a trial period of two years.

However, Belgium has taken issue with the rules and claims that its dairy sector has seen a 17% drop in trade with France as a result of the labelling.

Minister Borsus also said that the milk powder trade between the two countries has been decimated.

He called for a report to see what impacts the labelling has had on the internal market since their implementation.

’Time-limited measures’

In response to the calls from Belgium, the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis said that there are “time-limited measures on the labelling of milk or milk products in a few member states”.

“We are collecting practical and factual information on elements which are missing in studies and surveys carried out in recent years on the matter.”

He said that at the end of the labelling trial, there will be a report on the measure’s functioning and possible impact on the internal market and that he looks forward to engaging with the member states concerned.

Read more

Loose meat labelling on the way

Overhaul of EU organic rules edges closer

French farmer writes: “Processors are importing milk to keep our prices low”