France is planning a two-year trial of mandatory country-of-origin labelling (COOL) for meat and milk in prepared meals and processed foods. The decision has opened a rift between national and pan-European interests in the food industry.
The French agriculture minister confirmed that the EU Commission would not oppose the trial. The bill now requires a final legislative approval, and could come into force in July 2017.
Proponents of COOL argue that it enables consumers to choose local products and support their nation's farmers.
The trade association of French meat processors, which had campaigned for the change, welcomed the decision. But the pan-European manufacturers' association, FoodDrinkEurope, opposed it, saying that protectionist measures were at odds with the principle of the single market.
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