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Written question asked by Kim Johnson (Labour) on Friday, 20 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 February 2026. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Monday, 2 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Western Sahara: Origin Marking

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 July 2025 to UIN 61881 on Western Sahara: Origin Marking, if she will take steps to ensure that produce originating in Western Sahara is labelled as such by supermarkets.

Answer

The Government is committed to ensuring that UK consumers are not misled about the origin of the food they purchase. In accordance with Assimilated EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, food labelling must not be misleading, including in relation to the origin or provenance of food.

It is the UK position that where origin information is given for food products made or grown in the Western Sahara, it must give accurate origin information and cannot be labelled as Moroccan.

The Government has begun negotiations with the EU on an SPS agreement which will cover SPS standards and controls and also wider agrifood rules, including food labelling and key agri-food marketing standards. The Government is considering any EU legislative developments that could potentially affect labelling policy in the UK.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
113951
Session
2024-26
Related items
Western Sahara: Origin Marking
Thursday, 3 July 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Labelling Origin marking Western Sahara Supermarkets
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk