France to ban vegetarian meat

Vegetarian meat and dairy substitutes can no longer be linked to meat or dairy in France. Last week, the French Parliament decided that names such as vegetarian sausages and cheeses are no longer allowed.

The bill, recently approved, was introduced by Jean Baptiste Moreau (member of President Macron's ruling LREM party). Baptiste Moreau is a cattle farmer in the Creuse region, which is located in the center of France. The politician believes that animal meat should not be associated with vegetarian or vegan meat substitutes.

The new legislation is subject to strict rules. For example, fines can amount to €300.000 if manufacturers of vegetarian meat substitutes do not adjust the packaging. 

Also discussion in the Netherlands and Germany
The 'schnitzelgate discussion' also plays a role in the Netherlands and Germany. This is what the VVD wanted at the beginning of 2017 a ban on a meat name for meat substitutes, while the CDA already raised the discussion at an earlier stage. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority also found that the 'Vegetarian Butcher' had to change its product names. The food watchdog later came back to the ruling, because of the fuss that followed.  

In Germany, Christian Schmidt, former Minister of Agriculture, wanted to ban vegetarian meat denominations. In contrast to France, the proposals did not go through in Germany in the Netherlands.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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