Government Delays Controversial 'Not for EU' Labelling Scheme Amid Industry Concerns

The UK government has postponed its controversial plans to require "not for EU" labels on all meat and dairy products sold across Britain, following warnings from industry leaders about potential disruption to the food supply chain. Initially set for implementation in October, the scheme is now under review due to concerns about its impact on producers, suppliers, and consumers.

The Food and Drink Federation estimated that the labelling changes could have cost the industry up to £250 million annually, potentially driving up the price of products for shoppers. This has prompted a reconsideration of the policy, which was originally devised under the Conservative administration and had yet to be formalised in legislation.

The Windsor Framework and 'Not for EU' Labels

The "not for EU" label requirement stems from the Windsor Framework, an agreement made with the European Union to regulate the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Since October 2023, meat and dairy products sent from Britain to Northern Ireland must carry these labels to prevent goods from bypassing EU checks and entering the Republic of Ireland, which shares an open border with Northern Ireland.

The next phase of the plan was to extend the labelling requirement to all meat and dairy products sold in Great Britain from October 2024, followed by further extension to other goods, including fruit, vegetables, and composite food products like pizza, by July 2025. The policy was part of a broader "safeguarding the union" agreement made with the Democratic Unionist Party in January.

Industry Pushback and Uncertainty

The delay follows widespread criticism from trade bodies and food producers, who warned that the policy could create "chaos" within the industry. Businesses raised concerns about the costs of reformatting packaging and the administrative burden of complying with the new rules. A letter from the Provision Trade Federation, signed by several major food industry groups, called the government's handling of the situation "extremely unsatisfactory" and urged for either the abandonment of the plan or a six-month delay.

Some retailers had already begun adjusting packaging to meet the proposed October deadline, incurring extra costs, while others hesitated due to uncertainty around the policy. Judith Bryans, CEO of Dairy UK, welcomed the government's decision to delay the rollout, stating that the scheme would have caused significant disruption and unnecessary costs for dairy businesses.

Government Response

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirmed that ministers are reviewing the feedback from the recent consultation on the labelling requirements. The government is committed to protecting the UK internal market while ensuring the smooth flow of goods to Northern Ireland. However, the indefinite delay suggests that further discussions with the industry will take place before any final decisions are made.