Furious farmers back EU-wide ban on plant-based products 'hijacking' meat terminology
Furious farmers have shared their support for an EU-wide ban on vegetarian and vegan food producers using meat-related words to sell their products
New rules are currently under draft by the European Commission which would result in the food producers being banned from using words such as sausage and burger to 'camouflage' their products.
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), who represent farmers locally and internationally, have said they welcome the new restrictions under review. Furious farmers have shared their support for an EU-wide ban which on vegetarian and vegan food producers using meat-related words to sell their products. Pic: Getty Images
President Denis Drennan said the use of meat terminology to market veggie foods was 'deliberate and cynical and must constitute a breach of any trade descriptions act as commonly understood.'
Mr Drennan said the terms were being 'hijacked' in an attempt to 'camouflage' non-meat products.
He said while 'people are free to eat whatever they want,' farmers are 'irritated' by the fact that those trying to 'replace naturally produced meat and dairy' are using words 'generally understood to refer to' those products. He said while 'people are free to eat whatever they want,' farmers are 'irritated' of the fact that those trying to 'replace naturally produced meat and dairy' are using words 'generally understood to refer to' those products. Pic: Getty Images
'Rather than come up with their own terms and descriptions, they simply appropriate the names of the very good they're trying to replace and supplant,' Mr Drennan said, 'It's unbelievably cynical.'
Mr Drennan added that it was confirmation from corporations that 'they know they're unable to convince consumers by their own efforts or merits.'
The ICMSA President added: 'The fact that they're being allowed to 'camouflage' and take advantage of people's understanding is wrong and will have to be addressed.'
It comes as French MEP Céline Imart proposed an amendment which banned plant-based products from being labelled with a long list of terms typically linked to animal products.
The European Court of Justice has already ruled that non-dairy products cannot be described as milk and cheese.
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