WarehousingIreland.ie – S&D MEPs call for clearer labelling of traditional products

S&D MEPs call for clearer labelling of traditional products

Oct 11, 2015 Warehousing Ireland Health and Safety, Logistics, News Comments Off on S&D MEPs call for clearer labelling of traditional products

The European Parliament has called on the Commission to propose legislation to provide clearer labelling of traditional products, as is already done with regional agricultural products.

S&D MEP Virginie Rozière who authored the report said: “It is common sense that when you buy a glass of Champagne or a Cumberland Sausage you expect it to come from the region the name implies. However, this is not the case for non-agricultural products – when you buy Scottish tartan or Bohemian crystal there is no guarantee that it is the real thing. Today we have called on the Commission to put forward legislation that will correct this and will give protection to products that have certain typical characteristics that make them specific to a certain region or place.”

“A European system of protection of geographic indication for non-agricultural products would be a real step forward for consumers, manufacturers and local regions. For consumers it ensures that they know what they are buying meets strict rules of origin and quality. For manufacturers it protects them against unfair competition and helps to support traditional skills and quality workmanship. For Regions it will help protect local jobs and could even boost tourism.”

“Many of the products that will be protected by this new legislation have been produced for centuries, using techniques handed down through generations. Protecting these products and the skills that make them is a way of maintaining Europe’s heritage and its diversity.”