Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Council Minutes, 6 March 2017
The following is an extract from the minutes of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meeting on the 6 March 2017
On the initiative of the Slovak, Czech and Hungarian delegations, ministers were briefed on the issue of food products sold in different EU countries (often from the same producer) with the same name and packaging, but which have a different level of quality, taste and ingredients depending to the country. In particular, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia shared the results of a series of tests carried out on cases of dual quality of foodstuffs and asked the Commission to consider appropriate action including legislation at EU level, if needed.
Several delegations supported the Slovak, Czech and Hungarian concerns and requests. Although delegations highlighted that these products are often safe and labelled in conformity with EU law, they also warned against this practice potentially misleading the consumers and creating unfair competition.
The Commission expressed sympathy for the Slovak, Czech and Hungarian concerns and committed to follow up on the situation. It called on member states to communicate instances of dual quality of foodstuffs to the relevant national authorities and the Commission itself. It also explained that work on the issue would continue in the context of the consumer protection cooperation network and in the high-level forum for a better functioning food supply chain.
