BPA Statement on Waitrose and Meat Packaging

A number of members continue to express concern at the clarity of information on packaging with a number of major supermarkets that use rare breeds within a breeding programme.

The British Pig Association takes these concerns very seriously and continues to work with the industry to develop and review the governing codes.

The legal route to complaints is for these to be reported by Members to Trading Standards. This has to be undertaken directly with them for investigation.

An example of packaging is shown here (PDF, opens in a new window).

Whilst some members may believe this is still not adequate, it does describe what the breeding is and consequently may be interpreted as compliant. As such cases may not be taken further by Trading Standards. This was the situation in a recent referral in Norfolk

As far as codes are concerned:

- LACORS no longer exists but the guidance was agreed by FSA and endorsed by the DEFRA FANGR committee for use by Trading Standards.

- THE BPEX code is voluntary and covers a wide range of country of origin and production type information which cannot be legally enforced because of single market regulations but that does not mean that the provisions on breed labelling are voluntary as there are no EU issues with breed labelling. It as like joining a good drivers club where you agree to be courteous to other road users and obey the speed limits. The courtesy bit is voluntary but the speed limits are legal requirements. The breed labelling advice should still apply to all retailers even if they have not signed up to the BPEX code.

The only sure way to prove breed type is DNA testing and discussions surrounding this continue to be held at industry level.