The leaders of six European associations in farming and the meat sector have published an open letter calling for denominations such as steak, burger, or sausage, to be recognised as meat only and not used on substitutes.
In a single-page letter, the farm leaders note the involvement of the growing number of multinational companies on the vegan market in recent years, with a push to use meat- type denominations on plant-based meat imitations.
Heritage at stake
The letter states: “Such marketing can clearly mislead the EU consumers in thinking that these imitations are an equal substitute to originals.
“We cannot accept the representation of these ultra-processed products as healthier options given that they are often high in additives, salt, sugar and fat.”
The leaders highlight that terms such as bacon, ham, steak and chops are all traditional denominations that have been shaped over time by the hard work of farmers and butchers and claim that a common heritage is at stake.
No compromise
The farm leaders accuse the “imitation industry” of taking advantage of a European loophole to use these powerful common denominations in its favour.
“We can’t compromise on the consumers’ right to have reliable information on the characteristics and nutritional aspects of the products they are purchasing,” the letter concludes.
The open letter has been signed by:
Birthe Steenberg, secretary general of the poultry sector group AVEC.Dirk Dobbelaere, secretary general CLITRAVI, representing the meat processing sector. Pekka Pesonen, secretary general of COPA-COGECA. Ana Granados-Chapattem, secretary general of EFFAB, the farm animal breeders’ organisation.Kirsten Diessner, managing director at International Butchers’ Confederation.Karsten Maier, secretary general of UECBV representing livestock meat traders. Read more
UFU hits out at meat boss who wants cheap beef
Letter: time to fight back against vegan campaigns
The leaders of six European associations in farming and the meat sector have published an open letter calling for denominations such as steak, burger, or sausage, to be recognised as meat only and not used on substitutes.
In a single-page letter, the farm leaders note the involvement of the growing number of multinational companies on the vegan market in recent years, with a push to use meat- type denominations on plant-based meat imitations.
Heritage at stake
The letter states: “Such marketing can clearly mislead the EU consumers in thinking that these imitations are an equal substitute to originals.
“We cannot accept the representation of these ultra-processed products as healthier options given that they are often high in additives, salt, sugar and fat.”
The leaders highlight that terms such as bacon, ham, steak and chops are all traditional denominations that have been shaped over time by the hard work of farmers and butchers and claim that a common heritage is at stake.
No compromise
The farm leaders accuse the “imitation industry” of taking advantage of a European loophole to use these powerful common denominations in its favour.
“We can’t compromise on the consumers’ right to have reliable information on the characteristics and nutritional aspects of the products they are purchasing,” the letter concludes.
The open letter has been signed by:
Birthe Steenberg, secretary general of the poultry sector group AVEC.Dirk Dobbelaere, secretary general CLITRAVI, representing the meat processing sector. Pekka Pesonen, secretary general of COPA-COGECA. Ana Granados-Chapattem, secretary general of EFFAB, the farm animal breeders’ organisation.Kirsten Diessner, managing director at International Butchers’ Confederation.Karsten Maier, secretary general of UECBV representing livestock meat traders. Read more
UFU hits out at meat boss who wants cheap beef
Letter: time to fight back against vegan campaigns
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