Beef: identification and registration of bovine animals, labelling of beef and beef products

In adopting the report by Mr PAPAYANNAKIS (GUE, Gk) Parliament amended the proposal for a regulation regarding the labelling of beef and beef products. It called for the proposal to based on Article 100a of the EC Treaty (internal market, co-decision procedure) instead of Article 43 of the EC Treaty (agriculture, consultation procedure). On the content of the proposal, Parliament confirmed its willingness for compulsory labelling for beef and beef products. The following information should appear on the label: - Member State, region of a Member State or third country of birth, sex, breed and method of breeding of the animal; - any genetic engineering techniques performed on the embryo or transgenic origin of the animal; - other information on antibiotics and stimulants administered; - Member States, regions of Member States or third countries where the fattening took place; If beef from different countries of origin is available at a point of sale, the origin of each piece should be evident from the labelling. Parliament also required: - the extension of labelling to processed goods containing beef and beef products within one year of the entry into force; - the imposition of administrative and financial penalties on any party failing to comply with the requirements of this Regulation; - the entry into force of the regulation on 1 July 1997 (instead of 1 January 1997); - Member States to submit annual reports to the Commission on the implementation of the regulation. �