Beef labelling
IMPORTANT: In March 2007 the European Commission published a number of changes to the compulsory labelling requirements which are described in the letter below, dated 12 April 2007 (Summary amended on 21 May 2007). The Beef Labelling Guide - BL 1 (also available below) is therefore not now fully up-to-date and an amendment to it will be published in due course.
Compulsory labelling of fresh, chilled and frozen beef for export
Beef carcases and cuts for export to the EU must be labelled with the following compulsory indications: a traceability reference number or code, the country (Member State) of birth and of rearing, the country of slaughter and of cutting, with the approval numbers of the slaughterhouse and cutting plant(s). See below for further details.
Labelling of veal
The European Commission has been trying for some years to reach agreement on a single harmonised EU definition of veal. As a way forward the Commission decided in 2005 to carry out a public consultation to see if a consensus could be reached on a definition. Following its consultation the Commission has agreed a definition divided into two sub-categories dependent on the age of the animal. This will introduce compulsory labelling requirements with effect from 1 July 2008 for meat of bovine animals aged twelve months or less, with the requirements applying throughout the supply chain.
The compulsory labelling requirements are divided into two sub-categories:
(a) meat from animals aged 8 months or less, and
(b) meat from animals aged over 8 months but not more than 12 months.
Operators in the UK will be required to label the meat - whether home produced or imported - with two compulsory indications, as follows:
(i) a category identification letter ”V” or “Z” which denotes whether the animal was aged 8 months or less, or aged over 8 months but not more than 12 months;
(ii) the sales description ie, “veal” (for animals aged 8 months or less) or “beef” (for animals aged over 8 months but not more than 12 months).
The EU Regulation will be published on this site in due course. Views from interested organisations were sought.
Compulsory origin labelling from 1 January 2002
EC rules have been designed to provide European consumers with more reliable
information about the beef they buy. Beef offered for sale must be fully
traceable and compulsory country of origin indications must be shown.
The rules apply to all fresh and frozen beef and veal offered for sale
at all stages in the supply chain from slaughterhouse to final sale to
end consumer.
1. For beef from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the UK
The minimum compulsory indications are:
- A reference number or code
- "Origin: UK" (you may, in addition, use the term "British" without approval)
- "Slaughtered in: UK", approval number of slaughterhouse
- "Cut in: UK", approval number(s) of cutting plant(s)
2. For imported beef or beef from animals born, or raised or slaughtered outside the UK
The compulsory indications are:
- A reference number or code
- Country of birth (1): name of Member State or non-EC country(2)
- Country of rearing (1): name of Member State(s) or non-EC country(ies)(2)
- "Slaughtered in: {name of Member State or non-EC country}" (2), approval number of slaughterhouse
- "Cut in: {name of Member State or non-EC country}" (2), approval number(s) of cutting plant(s)
(1) If birth, rearing and slaughter take place in the same country, an origin indication may be given instead of separately giving both the country of birth and of rearing. However, the reference number or code, slaughter and cutting information must also be shown on your labels. Any beef labelled as ''Origin: UK'' must have come from an animal that was born in the UK, raised in the UK and slaughtered in the UK.
(2) If you sell beef imported from outside the EC, you should provide the name of the non-EC country in the indications listed above. However, if the information is not all available, as a minimum you must label with: "Origin: Non-EC , Slaughtered in: [name of the non-EC country of slaughter]".
There are slightly different rules for minced beef. The compulsory indications for mince are:
- A reference number or code
- Member State or non-EC country of slaughter
- Member State or non-EC country of mincing
- Member State or non-EC country of birth, if different from country of mincing
The requirements for compulsory beef labelling are explained in the Beef Labelling Guide for England, together with information on the term "labelling" and how beef should be labelled.
Other beef labelling - the Beef Labelling Scheme
Claims about the origin, production methods or characteristics of beef which are not compulsory can be made on a voluntary basis if approved under the Beef Labelling Scheme which operates alongside the compulsory rules. Prior approval of an application to the Scheme and verification by a recognised independent third party is required for all voluntary claims.
Advice and further information
For practical advice on labelling and setting up traceability systems and registers the following sources may be helpful: your trade organisation e.g. for independent butchers, the National Federation of Meat & Food Traders (Tel: 01892 541412); recognised independent third party verifiers (see list below); professional advisors. Please note that some of these bodies may charge for the assistance they give.
For information on the rules, you can also contact:
Defra, Beef Labelling Section
5th Floor - Area E
9 Millbank, c/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Tel: 020 7238 3158 / 3160
Fax: 020 7238 3115
Email: bls@defra.gsi.gov.uk
The following beef labelling system material is available.
See also
Further information is available on our Help page about downloading or reading Adobe Acrobat PDF documents.
Page last modified: 28 November 2007