MEPs from the leading political parties have praised The Grocer for exposing new draft EU food labelling regulations that threaten to outlaw the sale of groceries using basic numbers.
The Grocer revealed, last week, how MEPs voted against a crucial amendment in the EU Food Information Regulation directive that would have allowed individual states to nominate products that can be sold by number rather than weight.
As the regulations stand, this would mean products such as eggs by the dozen, four-packs of apples and eight rashers of bacon, would have to be sold by weight instead.
The story led to mass media coverage, including the front page of The Mail on Sunday, and prompted MEP Renate Sommer, who is steering the legislation through the European Parliament, to issue a hastily worded denial.
But with lobbyists insisting the draft legislation would cost UK retailers and manufacturers millions, UK-based MEPs from the leading political parties lined up in support of The Grocer's story.
Vicky Ford, Conservative MEP, Eastern region, said: "The Grocer was right to raise this issue. No one should panic at this stage but clearly it would be barking mad if the legislation were passed in its current form and [I say that] as a mother of three who buys eggs by the dozen and doughnuts in packs of six."
MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford said: "Lib Dem MEPs, and our Continental allies in the European Parliament, put forward an amendment to exclude eggs and other foods like bread rolls sold by number. Those MEPs who defeated our amendment need their heads examining."
And Nicole Sinclaire, independent MEP for the West Midlands, said The Grocer had "highlighted an incredibly important issue" that would have to be carefully monitored not just over the coming months but for years. "The Grocer has done exactly the right thing by writing about this issue and bringing it to the nation's attention," she said. "We have a system that works in this country and that still works in the US. I bet [the US] has no plans to change [its rules]."
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman also promised to fight the draft legislation, which "goes against common sense. Shopkeeping is a longstanding British institution, and we know what customers want."
Lobby groups said the EU was in denial over its draft legislation. Writing in The Grocer, Andrew Opie, food policy director at the British Retail Forum, said: "I don't think the Commission set out to ban labels that say a dozen eggs or six sausages, but that would be a consequence of the regulations as they stand today."
"Our priority now is to ensure MEPs and the EU Council are fully aware of the implications for the industry and consumers by removing the current provisions," added Barbara Gallani, FDF food safety and science director. And Federation of Bakers director Gordon Polson said: "The bottom line is that we are continuing to speak to MEPs to get this resolved."
The Grocer revealed, last week, how MEPs voted against a crucial amendment in the EU Food Information Regulation directive that would have allowed individual states to nominate products that can be sold by number rather than weight.
As the regulations stand, this would mean products such as eggs by the dozen, four-packs of apples and eight rashers of bacon, would have to be sold by weight instead.
The story led to mass media coverage, including the front page of The Mail on Sunday, and prompted MEP Renate Sommer, who is steering the legislation through the European Parliament, to issue a hastily worded denial.
But with lobbyists insisting the draft legislation would cost UK retailers and manufacturers millions, UK-based MEPs from the leading political parties lined up in support of The Grocer's story.
Vicky Ford, Conservative MEP, Eastern region, said: "The Grocer was right to raise this issue. No one should panic at this stage but clearly it would be barking mad if the legislation were passed in its current form and [I say that] as a mother of three who buys eggs by the dozen and doughnuts in packs of six."
MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford said: "Lib Dem MEPs, and our Continental allies in the European Parliament, put forward an amendment to exclude eggs and other foods like bread rolls sold by number. Those MEPs who defeated our amendment need their heads examining."
And Nicole Sinclaire, independent MEP for the West Midlands, said The Grocer had "highlighted an incredibly important issue" that would have to be carefully monitored not just over the coming months but for years. "The Grocer has done exactly the right thing by writing about this issue and bringing it to the nation's attention," she said. "We have a system that works in this country and that still works in the US. I bet [the US] has no plans to change [its rules]."
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman also promised to fight the draft legislation, which "goes against common sense. Shopkeeping is a longstanding British institution, and we know what customers want."
Lobby groups said the EU was in denial over its draft legislation. Writing in The Grocer, Andrew Opie, food policy director at the British Retail Forum, said: "I don't think the Commission set out to ban labels that say a dozen eggs or six sausages, but that would be a consequence of the regulations as they stand today."
"Our priority now is to ensure MEPs and the EU Council are fully aware of the implications for the industry and consumers by removing the current provisions," added Barbara Gallani, FDF food safety and science director. And Federation of Bakers director Gordon Polson said: "The bottom line is that we are continuing to speak to MEPs to get this resolved."
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