EU Parliament Shields Farmers, Restricts Plant-Based Meat Labels
The European Parliament voted 560-75 to restrict traditional meat terms to animal products and strengthen farmer protections in retail negotiations across the bloc.
Members of the European Parliament backed the reform package by 560 votes to 75, with 25 abstentions, during a plenary session on June 16, according to Brussels Signal. The legislation amends the European Union’s Common Market Organisation regulation and related Common Agricultural Policy provisions.
Under the new rules, approximately 30 traditional meat terms—including “steak,” “sirloin,” “chop,” “rib,” and “liver”—will be legally defined as referring exclusively to edible parts of animals. Plant-based, laboratory-grown, and cell-based products will be prohibited from using these designations.
The reform does permit continued use of widely recognized terms such as “veggie burger,” representing a compromise after months of debate over whether such descriptions would also face restrictions.
Céline Imart, the rapporteur from the centre-right European People’s Party, characterized the vote as a decisive advance for livestock producers. European Parliament officials stated the measures aim to enhance transparency in the internal market and provide consumers with clearer information about product origin and composition.
Contract Reforms to Shield Farmers from Retailer Pressure
Beyond labeling restrictions, the reform establishes written contracts as the standard requirement for transactions between farmers and buyers. Member states will be obligated to publish reference indicators reflecting changing production costs, which can be incorporated into agricultural contracts to ensure fairer compensation for producers.
The legislation expands the authority of producer organizations to engage in collective bargaining and introduces safeguards preventing buyers from circumventing these groups by negotiating directly with individual farmers.
New regulations will also govern the use of marketing terms such as “fair” and “equitable,” requiring such claims to meet concrete criteria tied to support for rural communities or farmer organizations.
Dairy Sector Receives Special Provisions
The dairy sector will benefit from mandatory written contracts designed to stabilize producer incomes amid volatile market conditions. These provisions respond to longstanding complaints from dairy farmers about unpredictable pricing and unfair bargaining positions.
The Commission initially proposed the reform package in December 2024 as part of broader efforts to address farmer grievances that have sparked protests across multiple European nations.
Industry Pushback and Implementation Timeline
Manufacturers of plant-based food products have contested the naming restrictions, arguing they are unnecessary and could fragment the single market. Industry representatives have cited surveys indicating consumers are seldom confused by existing labels on meat alternatives.
The reform still requires formal approval from the Council of the European Union, which represents member state governments, before entering into force. Once adopted, producers will have a three-year compliance period to adjust their labeling and contractual practices.
With information from Brussels Signal
