The MEPS are asking for the European Commission to devise legislation to make it mandatory to state the country of origin of meat used in processed foods, in order to rebuild consumer confidence in the wake of the horsemeat scandal in 2012.

A report by the European Commission showed that 90% of consumers consider it important that meat origin should be labelled on processed food products. MEPs also said that approximately 30 to 50% of slaughtered meat is processed into meat ingredients.

The committee passed the resolution by 48 votes to 15 with 4 abstentions on Wednesday. The resolution is to be discussed and put to a plenary session vote in February.