I can only praise this legislation and the Commissioner for giving the EU system equal ranking with the UNGHS (UN Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling).

In light of the experience gained in applying such voluntary labelling schemes, it is appropriate for the Commission to submit a report on the possible introduction of a specific harmonised mandatory labelling scheme at Community level for chicken meat, meat products and preparations based on compliance with animal welfare standards, including the possible socioeconomic implications, the effects on the Community’s economic partners and compliance of such a labelling scheme with World Trade Organization rules.

– improving the flexibility of the labelling policy, in taking into account the WTO policies, by: 1) removing the distinction between the rules on labelling wines with and without GIs, most importantly facilitating the indication of vine variety and vintage on wines without GI status, in order to allow EU wine producers to market “new world” type wines (i.e. single vine variety), and thereby put EU wine producers on an equal footing with external competitors, 2) maintaining and improving the traditional terms system, 3) adapting the policy on trademarks, 4) amending the language rules in the wine sector to allow more flexibility on the u ...[+++]se of languages, 5) ensuring health and consumer information and protection, 6) fully informing the consumer of the origin of the product through appropriate labelling rules on traceability and 7) allowing to inform consumers on the environmental aspects of production practices.

(32) For all indications other than those falling under the compulsory beef labelling system, a Community framework for labelling of beef should also be provided and, in view of the diversity of descriptions of beef marketed in the Community, the establishment of a voluntary beef labelling system is the most appropriate solution.

Article 19 of Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products, lays down that a compulsory beef labelling system shall be introduced, which shall be obligatory in all Member States, from 1 January 2001 onwards.

Article 19 of Council Regulation (EC) No 820/97 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products, lays down that a compulsory beef labelling system shall be introduced, which shall be obligatory in all Member States, from 1 September 2000 onwards.