EU: Parliament wants to ban names such as ‘veggie burger’ / Animal welfare transport law stalls amid political deadlock

The European Parliament has approved a proposal to ban the use of terms such as ‘burger’, ‘steak’, ‘schnitzel’ or ‘sausage’ for plant-based products. According to the proposal, these terms may only be used for products that contain meat. The EPP group justifies the initiative as a measure to prevent misleading consumers and to ensure transparency. The ban can only come into force if a majority of EU member states have also given their approval. 

Furthermore, the proposal put forward by the European Commission to improve the transport conditions for livestock has reached a political deadlock two years after its introduction. The plan included limiting transport times for livestock to a maximum of nine hours, providing more space in transport vehicles, and mandating night journeys during extreme heat. However, the initiative has met fierce resistance. Current EU regulations allow transport times of up to 28 hours and temperatures between five and 30 degrees Celsius. While animal welfare organizations criticize the existing rules as outdated and inadequate, representatives of the farming sector point to shortcomings in the enforcement of current laws. The Commission’s draft is based on scientific recommendations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which calls for shorter transport times and improved conditions to enhance animal welfare and food safety. A progress report from the member states is expected in December.