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

In adopting the report by Mr. Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS (UEG/NGL GR), the European Parliament called for the system for the labelling of beef and beef products to be implemented and be compulsory in all the Member States starting from the 01.09.2000. The optional labelling system shall apply until 31.08.2000. Furthermore, the Parliament believes that the elements of information such as the code, the reference digits (which may be the identification number of the animal concerned) as well as the place of slaughter should be compulsory from 01.01.2000. The Parliament asks the Member States who have a sufficiently developed identification and registration system for bovine animals to be able to introduce this system in the form of a compulsory labelling system, from before 01.09.2000, i.e. a compulsory labelling system of bovine meat coming from animals born, fed and slaughtered on their territory. Lastly, the European Parliament considers that Article 152 of the EC Treaty (public health protection) is the appropriate legal base for this Regulation.�