Labelling Matters - A CiWF, RSPCA, WSPA and Soil Association campaign

The organisations Compassion in World Farming (CiWF), the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and The Soil Association are campaigning jointly for clear method of production labelling regarding dairy products and meat. This campaign, which was launched in Westminster, is an EU-wide campaign. Without clear labelling, there is the danger of buying factory farmed produce without realising it.

The Labelling Matters campaign calls for clear and simple labelling which convey the chief characteristic of the production system (e.g. factory farm, free range, organic). This will enable customers to know how the animals were kept. In writing this article, I am giving my backing to this campaign.

Mandatory labelling

According to CiWF, 80% of animals are raised in factory farms every year in the EU, hidden away from the public view. By contrast, customers want to be sure that they can buy food that is better for animal welfare. Indeed, if mandatory labelling was required, the customers would gravitate towards buying produce coming from organic farms or farms with better animal welfare standards, they would most likely avoid factory farm produce. However, speaking as a customer, I would also like to be assured that the statement on the label is factually correct, that the animals were truly well looked after.

How you can help

Sign the letter to the EU Agriculture Ministers

If you are resident in one of the EU member states, you can sign this message addressed to the EU's Agriculture Ministers calling for clearer labelling. The European Commission has so far resisted calls for this despite the recent horsemeat scandal.

Sign the petition for clear labelling (UK residents only)

If you are resident in the UK, you can sign this petition calling for clear labelling of animal produce. This petition closes on the 3rd September 2013.

More information on the Labelling Matters campaign

For more information, you can visit the CiWF Labelling Matters campaign page.

What I would also like to see

This may be within or outside the framework of the Labelling Matters campaign, but on a related note, I would also like to guarantee that dairy calves are treated humanely and allowed to live and I would also like to see this fact labelled. In addition I wish to be sure that dairy cows themselves are always treated humanely and nicely.