EU agreement: farmers’ bargaining power would be strengthened and “meat” names for alternative proteins would be restricted

The package includes the need for member states to develop benchmarks to support contractual negotiations and a stronger role for producer organisations in collective bargaining.

The agreement also covers labelling: the EP said it would legally define the term “meat” (i.e. “edible parts of animals”) and that several meat-related terms – such as “steak” and “liver” – could in future only be used on products that actually contain meat; these terms should not apply to cell-based/laboratory-derived alternatives.

The package also includes clarification of the use of the term “short supply chain” (on labels and in advertising) and the generalisation of written contracts to protect producers in the dairy sector. The provisional agreement must be formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council for the new rules to enter into force.