Common organisation of agricultural markets (CMO): marketing standards for poultrymeat

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development adopted the report drawn up by Ilda FIGUEIRDO (GUE/NGL, PT) amending, under the consultation procedure, the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets as regards the marketing standards for poultrymeat.

The main amendments were as follows:

Definition of “poultrymeat”: the Commission proposal aims to alter the definition of poultry meat with a view to authorising the marketing of such meat where it has received anti-microbe treatment against the surface contamination of poultry carcasses. In 2008, the European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing its concern at this measure, since the proposal does not meet the requirements of EU citizens as regards food hygiene and safety.

As a consequence, according to the amended text, “poultrymeat” means the edible parts of

farmed birds falling within CN code 0105 suitable for human consumption, which have not undergone any treatment other than cold treatment. The report underlines that exclusive reference in the definition of 'poultrymeat' to treatment by refrigeration should ensure that products are not treated with decontaminating substances.

Fresh poultrymeat: MEPs have also amended this definition in order to clarify that fresh poultrymeat where intended for the production of meat preparations, may undergo a process of stiffening at temperatures below 2°C for a brief period.

Consumer information: MEPs have added a new recital to ensure that meat placed on the market indicates its origins so as to allow consumers to make a properly informed choice. Furthermore, so as to provide optimal information to consumers, indicating the date of slaughter of the bird should be mandatory where the labelling of all poultrymeat products is concerned.

The name of the food in the labelling of any poultrymeat product shall include an indication of: (a) any added ingredient of a different animal origin to the rest of the meat; and (b) any added water making up more than 5 % of the weight of the product.

Indication of price: the price per kilogram of the food shall be based solely on the drained net weight.