Good news for the French meat-production sector: starting next year, country-of-origin labelling will be mandatory for all meats served in restaurants and institutional catering.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food, Julien Denormandie, announced in September that an ordinance will be issued by the end of the year making country-of-origin labelling mandatory for all meats served in restaurants and institutional catering (schools, hospitals and government-administrative canteens).

Although that ordinance has been promised to French livestock farmers for quite some time, since 2000, it has been applied to bovine meats (beef, veal and variety meats from cattle) only. Starting next year, however, the country of origin will also have to be specified for poultry, mutton and lamb, pork and goat meat.

• Getting Behavior to Change –

Rather than a health or safety issue, mandatory labelling of meats’ country of origin is an expression of determination to prioritize France’s own agricultural sectors. According to the ministry, 50% of the meat served in school lunchrooms is currently imported.

The government wants to set an example. “By 2024, 100% of the meat and fish served  by the government [i.e. in its canteens] should have quality labels (SIQO (quality and origin), organic, high-environmental value, etc.),” the communiqué added.
To support that measure, and in particular, to assist small town canteens with their options, the Ministry reminds everyone that €50 million of the stimulus package has already been dedicated to incorporating more fresh and local products into canteen menus.