Written question asked by Kerry McCarthy (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 July 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 July 2018. It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Monday, 23 July 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Food: Origin Marking

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect on food (a) prices and (b) availability of UK food products ceasing to fall under EU country of origin labelling after the UK leaves the EU.

Answer: The most important drivers of change in the cost of food are commodity prices, exchange rates and oil prices. These forces affect all countries whether or not they are members of the EU. After the UK has left the EU, food originating in the UK will no longer be able to indicate EU origin. However, most foods are either sold under mandatory country of origin labelling requirements on fresh meats or voluntary country of origin schemes. Existing provisions for mandatory country of origin labelling will be brought across to UK legislation through the EU Withdrawal Act. We therefore do not envisage any significant impacts on either food availability or prices.

Secondary information