• Mandatory COOL for all fresh meat products.
• In processed meat and fish products, mandatory country of origin labelling for the meat and fish ingredient as well as the finished product, to enable consumers to identify the country of origin of all key ingredients.
• More accurate country of origin labelling of meat and fish products, so that a single country of origin can be given only if the animal was born, reared and slaughtered in one country, to enable consumers to track an animal throughout its life.

Knowing where a food was produced can give some indication as to whether it was in season, how it may have been grown and its food miles. Different countries, even within the EU, have differing standards of animal welfare, meaning shoppers may want to avoid meat sourced from certain countries. Shoppers need accurate information on where their food comes from in order to make these choices.

Increasing numbers of shoppers are deciding that they actively want to support British farmers through their food choices. Many WIs have longstanding links with their local farmers and are deeply aware of the problems facing British agriculture. However, shoppers cannot actively seek out British produce without accurate country of origin labelling.

The campaign so far

The UK cannot introduce country of origin labelling without cooperation from other European states. The European Union is currently debating proposals to reform food labelling to make country of origin labelling mandatory. Both the European parliament and the Council of the European Union must agree to any reforms. The aim is for new, improved food labelling laws to take affect across Europe from 2013.

There are different views within the European Union about whether labelling should be mandatory or not. Representatives from the 27 EU states at the Agricultural and Fisheries Council discussed this issue in July 2009 and mandatory country of origin labelling was narrowly defeated in a vote, with the previous UK Labour Government voting against, along with 9 other countries.

In June MEPs voted to support mandatory country of origin labelling. They also voted for COOL for meat in processed products, although this may be subject to an impact assessment, and supported proposals that meat should indicate if an animal was born, reared and slaughtered in separate countries.

Ruth Bond, NFWI Chair, has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs setting out the arguments for mandatory COOL. Caroline Spelman MP has responded to confirm that the government is reviewing its position and welcomes input from groups such as the WI.

What happens now

The Agricultural and Fisheries Council will now debate COOL. They do have to be mindful of what MEPS but are free to amend the proposals passed by MEPs. Support for mandatory COOL in the Council is uncertain. The ENVI commission will then scrutinise the Council's decision and vote among themselves.

The proposals will then return to the full European Parliament for a final vote by all MEPs in early 2011, most likely March. Ultimately the Council has to agree a position which is acceptable to all 27 representatives and the Council and Parliament have to agree on an acceptable position.

Act now

MEPs will have to vote again if the Council tries to water down proposals for COOL. This means that it is vital that members ask their MEPs to support the proposals throughout the summer and autumn. It is crucial that every British MEP understands this is an issue that matters to consumers.

The UK Government also needs to be aware of the WI's campaign as Defra ministers will be discussing it at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The coalition government has already indicated its support for clear food labelling but has not committed to mandatory schemes. It is crucial reforms are vigorous enough to guarantee clarity for consumers.