The promises and the empty words

‘Food can be imported to Britain, processed here, and subsequently labelled in a way that suggests it’s genuinely British. That is completely wrong.’

DAVID CAMERON, JAN 2007 ‘It’s time for a compulsory country of origin labelling scheme so people have proper information.’ TORY FARMING SPOKESMAN NICK HERBERT,

FEB 2009

‘We will introduce honesty in food labelling.’

COALITION AGREEMENT, MAY 2010

‘Recommendations on labelling the origin of all processed meat should be accelerated.’ OWEN PATERSON AFTER HORSEMEAT

SCANDAL, FEB 2013 ‘Any extension of mandatory country of origin labelling could only be considered if it was straightforward to operate, not burdensome to businesses and not trade-distorting.’

FARMING MINISTER GEORGE EUSTICE, JAN 2014 We are concerned about the unnecessary financial burdens any proposal could place on businesses when we have best practice industry principles that cover the same issue.’

FARMING MINISTER GEORGE EUSTICE, FEB 2014