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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
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.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS