Written question asked by David Rendel (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 29 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 April 2000. It was answered by Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 April 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he has taken since March 1999 to ensure that British pork is labelled so that it can be distinguished from imported pork packaged in the United Kingdom. - (Holding answer 3 April 2000).

Answer: Mr. Rendel: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken since March 1999 to ensure that British pork is labelled so that it can be distinguished from imported pork packaged in the United Kingdom. [117397] Ms Stuart: [holding answer 3 April 2000]: I have been asked to reply. On 1 February the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food issued tough new guidance to industry and enforcement authorities emphasising the need to ensure that country of origin markings on food labels are unambiguous. The guidelines make it clear that, under current legislation which protects consumers from misleading presentation of foods, imported pork packaged in Great Britain should not be labelled as "British".

Secondary information