Study on mandatory origin labelling for milk, milk used as an ingredient in dairy products, and unprocessed meat other than beef, pig, poultry, and sheep and goat meat : Part A – Milk and milk used as an ingredient in dairy product

The preamble to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (the FIC Regulation) explains that mandatory origin provisions have been developed for some foods including honey, fruit and vegetables, fish, beef and beef products, and olive oil. More recently pig, poultry, sheep and goat meat have been added. The FIC Regulation identifies the need to explore the possibility to extend mandatory origin labelling for selected foodstuff categories. Article 26 paragraph 5 of the Regulation requires the European Commission to submit reports by 13 December 2014 to the European Parliament and Council regarding the mandatory indication of country of origin or place of provenance for: - types of meat other than beef, poultry, pig, and sheep and goat meat; - milk; - milk used as an ingredient in dairy products; - unprocessed foods; - single ingredient products; - ingredients that represent more than 50% of a food. Article 26 paragraph 7 of the Regulation requires that the Commission reports referred to in paragraph 5 shall take into account: - the need for the consumer to be informed; - the feasibility of providing the mandatory indication of the country of origin or place of provenance; - an analysis of the costs and benefits of the introduction of such measures, including the legal impact on the internal market and the impact on international trade.