Farm Europe and EAT Europe welcome the European Commission’s proposal to introduce clear principles for the protection of meat product names in the draft revision of the Common Market Organisation (CMO) regulation, as part of the broader reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
This inclusion—strongly advocated by both organisations—sends a clear signal in favour of consumer transparency and fairness for producers.
However, it remains difficult to understand why essential terms such as “burger,” “sausage,” and “steak” are still excluded from the legal provisions, despite being among the most frequently misused names when marketing substitute products.
Transparency means calling food by its correct name. Words matter. Naming is not a marketing gimmick—it directly affects citizens’ health and wellbeing. Consumers must be accurately informed, especially regarding the nutritional value and level of processing of the products they purchase.
We particularly welcome the Commission’s explicit recognition of the need for EU-wide harmonisation of terminology related to meat products—bringing the rules in line with the standards already in place for the dairy sector.
This proposal echoes a recent joint appeal by Farm Europe and EAT Europe to Commissioners Várhelyi and Hansen, giving voice to the “Words Matter” campaign launched in October 2024. The campaign underlines the urgent need to ensure consumers can clearly distinguish between animal-based products and their imitations—many of which are highly processed and have different nutritional profiles—thus avoiding misleading marketing and market confusion.
It is significant that the Commission acknowledges the importance of introducing specific legal provisions to protect meat-related terms. These rules would enhance transparency in the internal market regarding food composition and nutritional value, enabling consumers to make informed choices—particularly those seeking the nutritional benefits traditionally associated with meat products.
Nonetheless, further debate will be essential in the coming months—especially in light of ongoing discussions within the European Parliament, including the report by MEP Imart, which already proposes substantial amendments to the current CMO regulation. The ultimate objective must be to safeguard both consumer transparency and the viability of European livestock farming—one of the EU agri-food sector’s key pillars in terms of social and environmental sustainability.
Key issues such as transparency, consumer education, food processing levels, and lab-grown alternatives will be at the heart of the upcoming Eat Europe study on food sustainability. The study will be officially presented in the European Parliament on 14 October 2025, during an event hosted by MEP Herranz Garcia, with the participation of EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Oliver Várhelyi.
You can find more information about our campaign “Words Matter” through the following links:
O artigo foi publicado originalmente em Farm Europe.
