Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns about the transparency and honesty in food welfare labelling, particularly regarding the use of Union flags and misleading farm names on products not originating from the UK.
I like to buy British because I know that our farmers have some of the best quality and welfare standards in the world, but this is difficult when everything is labelled with Union flags and fake farm names. Can I invite the Minister to meet with members of the Labour Rural Research Group to discuss honest food labelling?
I am happy to meet the rural research group to talk about these important issues, but under UK food labelling rules, food that is not of UK origin cannot be labelled with a British flag and if the primary ingredient is not British, it cannot be labelled as such without pointing out that the primary ingredient is not British.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Continued concerns about the accuracy and transparency of food labels, especially regarding imports that do not meet UK animal welfare standards.
It is not only Labour Members who are concerned about this issue; I hope the Minister would be prepared to meet a cross-party group of MPs. The problem is not just the use of the Union Jack but also the risk of importing products that do not adhere to our high animal welfare standards.
I am more than happy to meet the hon. Gentleman or any cross-party group of MPs to talk about this important issue.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns about misleading labels, especially regarding the risk of importing products that do not meet UK animal welfare standards.
It is not only Labour Members who are concerned about this issue. The problem we face in this country is not just the use of the Union Jack but also a high risk that we are importing products that do not meet our animal welfare standards, which even now we are rightly seeking to improve.
I am more than happy to meet the hon. Gentleman or any cross-party group of MPs to talk about this important issue. I point out that in recent trade deals, we have protected both the poultry egg and poultry meat sectors from approaches similar to what was seen with Australia under previous government.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy