Geographical indications (GIs) protect the names of products whose qualities, reputation or characteristics are linked to a particular place.

The Government has not formally assessed the adequacy of GI labelling on either fresh meat or fresh fish packaging. However, once a GI name has been protected, only genuine products can use that name and the appropriate GI logo in their labelling and advertising. We consider current GI labelling requirements to be clear to producers and informative to consumers. Where mislabelling or inadequate labelling comes to light, the Government takes steps to ensure corrective action protects producer and consumer interests.

Ministers are considering all the evidence gathered during the statutory assessment process before making a decision. We aim to announce our decision on the application shortly.

The fundamental principles of our food labelling rules are that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable consumers to make informed decisions.

Country of origin information is required for fresh and frozen meat of beef cattle, sheep, goat, pigs and poultry, as well as uncut fresh fruit and vegetables, honey, olive oil, wine and some fish products. It is also required for all prepacked food where its omission would be misleading to consumers. In any case, where an indication of origin or provenance is given, either in words or pictures, this must be accurate.

Under existing rules, any food or food product that is not classed as UK origin cannot be presented (or implied e.g. using a Union flag) as being British. Food products manufactured in the UK are British products, many of which are well known British brands abroad. But if these contain a primary ingredient that is not British, then a British claim can only be made on the label if the label also highlights that the primary ingredient is not British.

Defra officials will continue to review the rules around origin labelling.

Ministers are considering all the evidence gathered during the statutory assessment process before making a decision. We aim to announce our decision on the application shortly.

I have had several discussions with colleagues on trade with and within the Israeli settlements in Palestine, which are illegal under international law. We strongly advise against conducting any economic and financial activities in settlements.

Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK’s trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Government of Israel. UK operators are advised on gov.uk that, to claim preferential tariffs, all movement certificates and invoice declarations made out in Israel must include the origin where production has taken place. Where there are doubts about the declared origin of goods, HMRC undertakes checks to verify it.

The UK Government has introduced guidelines outlining how products originating from the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 should be specifically labelled as such as not to mislead the consumer.

I have had several discussions with colleagues on trade with and within the Israeli settlements in Palestine, which are illegal under international law. We strongly advise against conducting any economic and financial activities in settlements.

Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK’s trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Government of Israel. UK operators are advised on gov.uk that, to claim preferential tariffs, all movement certificates and invoice declarations made out in Israel must include the origin where production has taken place. Where there are doubts about the declared origin of goods, HMRC undertakes checks to verify it.

The UK Government has introduced guidelines outlining how products originating from the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 should be specifically labelled as such as not to mislead the consumer.

The UK aims to maintain high standards on the information that is provided on food labels. All food sold on the UK market, including that which is imported, must comply with UK food labelling rules. The fundamental principle of our food labelling rules is that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable the safe use of food.

Food that is not classed as UK origin cannot be sold or labelled as being British. Processed foods and composite foods manufactured in the UK are British products, many of which are well known British brands abroad. But if these contain a primary ingredient that is not British then under existing rules a British claim can only be made on the label if the label also highlights that the primary ingredient is not British. Food simply re-packaged in the UK, without any further processing, does not confer UK origin on it.

Major retailers go further than the regulations by having already committed in the 2010 ‘Voluntary Principles on country-of-origin labelling’ to only include Union flags or imagery on products containing meat or dairy products (milk, cream, cheese, butter) when the meat or milk is sourced from the UK.

The Government has no current plans to bring forward legislative proposals in this area.

Aside from certain specified products such as food there is no requirement for goods to be labelled with their country of origin. The government does not have plans to introduce such a requirement on behalf of consumers.

Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, traders are banned from using misleading statements about the geographical or commercial origin of products including in response to requests for information by consumers. Alleged breaches of this legislation should be reported to the Citizens Advice consumer service in the first instance.

HMRC does not hold information on how many Certificates of Origin were granted to UK businesses for goods destined for the EU in 2025.

HMRC does not hold information about the average cost to businesses of securing origin documentation.

Food labelling rules require country of origin information for some fish products. The Government has not undertaken a specific assessment of mandating country of origin labelling requirements for fish or seafood products imported from the Faroe Islands in cases where it is not already required. Food labelling requirements are kept under review to ensure they provide clear information for consumers, while remaining proportionate and consistent with wider regulatory and trade considerations.

Defra officials continue to look at how the origin for food products may be better highlighted to ensure consumers can make informed choices wherever they purchase food.

All food sold on the UK market, including that which is imported, must comply with UK food labelling rules. The fundamental principle of the UK’s food labelling rules is that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable the safe use of food.

Under existing rules, food that is not classed as UK origin cannot be sold or labelled as being British. Processed foods and composite foods manufactured in the UK are British products, but if these contain a primary ingredient that is not British then a British claim can only be made on the label if the label also highlights that the primary ingredient is not British.

Food simply re-packaged in the UK, without any further processing, does not confer UK origin on it.

The Government knows that many consumers value the opportunity to buy British and support their local food economy The Farming Profitability Review points to areas where additional assurance schemes and refreshed voluntary principles could add value.

The Government remains committed to upholding high standards of food information, whether on food labels or within hospitality settings. The fundamental rule that food labelling should not mislead already provides assurance that non-British food products cannot be labelled (or implied e.g. by the use of a Union flag) as being British.

Defra officials have been assessing the recommendations and as a part of this continue to look at how the origin for food products may be better highlighted to ensure consumers can make informed choices wherever they purchase food.

The UK aims to maintain high standards on the information that is provided on food labels. All food sold on the UK market must comply with food labelling rules, which include the requirement for the name and address of the food business operator that is responsible for the food.

Food origin information is mandatory for some, but not all foods. It is not required for beer products, but many producers in the UK state where the beer is brewed. If there is a recognised regional style of beer, it may be possible to protect that heritage through the geographical indications scheme.

In any case, where an indication of origin or provenance is given on food and drink, either in words or pictures, this must be accurate.

The Government has no current plans change country of origin rules. The ownership of brand is not required under food labelling rules.

The Government recognises the economic and cultural importance of geographical indications (GIs) and remains committed to ensuring their continued protection.

The family of UK produced GIs already includes beer - Kentish Ale, Kentish Strong Ale, and Rutland Bitter, in addition to East Kent Goldings, a variety of hops used in the production of beers and ales.

Those are proudly produced to specific recipes and processes in a defined place, and the Government welcome applications for GI protection from producers of other beers.

The Government is committed to ensuring that UK consumers are not misled about the origin of the food they purchase. In accordance with assimilated EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, food labelling must not be misleading, including in relation to the origin or provenance of food.

It is the UK position that where origin information is given for food products made or grown in the Western Sahara, it must give accurate origin information and cannot be labelled as Moroccan.

Produce originating in Western Sahara that has been mislabelled as produce of Morocco would be considered misleading under food labelling regulations.

Defra officials and the Food Standards Agency work closely with Local Authority Trading Standards Officers who enforce food labelling rules in the UK, including addressing labels that may be misleading or non-compliant.