The China Mail - Veggie 'burgers' remain on table as EU talks stall

Many of Europe's livestock farmers see plant-based foods that mimic meat as potentially misleading for consumers, and a threat to their already troubled sector.

Lawmakers at the European Parliament in October backed a proposal to reserve a list of labels including burger and sausage for foods containing meat.

The European Union's 27 member states Wednesday looked to hash out the initiative with negotiators from the parliament as part of a broad-ranging package of new measures to protect farmers.

But after several hours of talks, no agreement was reached. Negotiations are set to continue next year.

Some countries seem reticent to move ahead with a ban.

Food retailers in Germany, Europe's largest market for plant-based alternative products, have spoken out against the move, along with environmentalists and consumer advocates.

- Beatle with a beef -

Among high-profile opponents of the ban is former Beatle and prominent vegetarian Paul McCartney, who co-signed a letter to the EU's executive arguing against the measure.

"We urge you not to adopt these restrictions, as we are deeply concerned about the significant global impact they could have," the letter said.

"The evidence is clear: existing legislation already protects consumers; consumers themselves overwhelmingly understand and support current naming conventions."

But livestock farmers argue the opposite, with French industry group Interbev saying current labelling "confuses consumers and undermines recognition" of meat products.

EU consumption of plant-based alternatives to meat products has grown five-fold since 2011, according to data from BEUC, a consumer group.

Concerns over animal welfare and greenhouse gas emissions by livestock farms as well as health arguments have fuelled the boom.

This is not the first time there has been a push to beef up rules on the labelling of such products in the EU.

The debate has stirred emotions in France, which passed a similar label ban in 2024 to appease angry farmers -- only for it to be overturned the following January in line with a ruling by the EU's top court.

And a similar proposal was rejected by European lawmakers in 2020.

The balance of power has since shifted, as the 2024 European elections saw big gains by right-wing parties that cultivate close ties to the farm sector.

But even among those groups, there is no clear consensus, with centre-right leader Manfred Weber insisting the proposal was "not a priority at all".

L.Kwan--ThChM