Shoppers face different food labelling rules than in England
‘Helps keep down shop prices’
BUSINESSES are facing the threat of different rules on food labelling in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK for the first time ever.
Powers which came back from Brussels when Britain left the European Union mean food producers need to include different details on labels on both sides of the Border.
The UK Government has launched a consultation on changes which would mean all meat sold in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will have to have details of how the animal was killed.
But the Scottish Government has refused to commit to a UK-wide approach. It will decide on rules north of the Border following a consultation with firms.
David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: ‘Retailers want to ensure Scottish consumers continue to have the widest possible choice on shop shelves and the fullest possithis ble alignment across the UK on food, and nutrition labelling and food compositional standards helps underpin that.
‘Shoppers, retailers and food manufacturers benefit enormously from our largely unfettered UK single market, as economies of scale and regulatory consistency help keeps down business costs, which in turn helps keep down shop prices.’
The UK Government consultation looks to ensure Halal meat is correctly labelled.
Scottish Tory rural affairs spokesman Rachael Hamilton said: ‘As consultation launches, it is crucial SNP-Green Ministers work constructively with other governments to implement this system as simply as possible across the United Kingdom.
‘That will help to reduce bureaucracy wherever possible, ensuring any proposed changes will work effectively for businesses.’
However, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We take animal welfare very seriously and are determined to ensure the highest possible standards in Scotland.
‘Decisions on whether and how to include animal welfare details on food labelling in Scotland are for Scottish ministers. We will be considering our position in discussion with Scottish stakeholders.’
A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: ‘Animal welfare and food labelling are devolved, and the UK Government is committed to discussing the responses with the Scottish Government in due course.’
It comes after the Scottish Government and Food Standards Scotland announced plans that could see restaurants and takeaways in Scotland forced to show how many calories are in meals as part of plans to tackle obesity.