Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of protected geographical indication labelling on a) fresh meat and b) fresh fish packaging.

Geographical indications (GIs) protect the names of products whose qualities, reputation or characteristics are linked to a particular place.

The Government has not formally assessed the adequacy of GI labelling on either fresh meat or fresh fish packaging. However, once a GI name has been protected, only genuine products can use that name and the appropriate GI logo in their labelling and advertising. We consider current GI labelling requirements to be clear to producers and informative to consumers. Where mislabelling or inadequate labelling comes to light, the Government takes steps to ensure corrective action protects producer and consumer interests.