Pembrokeshire residents have the right to know exactly where their meat has come from, says Conservative parliamentary candidate Simon Hart. He is urging residents across Pembrokeshire to sign up to a new petition calling for clearer labelling on food packaging.
"At the moment, meat is on sale in major supermarkets with 'produced in Great Britain' and the Union Jack emblazoned across it, but this may only mean that the meat has been imported and then repackaged in the UK," said Mr. Hart.
"This is misleading and unfair on Pembrokeshire farmers who are producing traceable, high quality meat and then having to compete with imported produce that may not be reared to such standards."
The 'Honest Food' campaign launched by Conservatives seeks to end misleading claims and ensure compulsory 'country of origin' labelling. This will mean that meat products, such as bacon, sausages and ready meals, which carry a British label, can only use meat that comes from animals born and bred in Britain. Conservatives are proposing a change in the law to make this compulsory.
The campaign was welcomed by Carmarthen butcher Huw Evans, who discussed the proposed changes with Conservative leader David Cameron when he visited the town last week.
Research into everyday products on supermarket shelves has indentified Tesco chicken dinners 'produced in the UK' use chicken from Thailand; Marks and Spencer's corned beef sandwiches emblazoned with the Union flag use meat from Brazil; and goods from the Birdseye 'Great British Menu' range are made with imported meat.
The petition can be signed online at http://www.honestfoodcampaign.com">www.honestfoodcampaign.com. The campaign has been backed by famous chefs, Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall, Clarissa Dickson Wright, Prue Leith and Anthony Worrall Thompson.
Mr. Hart added: "People have a right to know where their food comes from, but there is nothing in labelling regulations to stop foreign meat that is only processed here from being labelled as British.
"The Conservatives would change the law to prevent unclear and misleading labelling so that only meat from animals reared in Britain could carry a British label. Shoppers in Pembrokeshire would see clearly where their food comes from so they can choose British food with confidence. It would also give a massive boost to local farmers."