European food quality legislation is needed, the European Parliament agreed last week.

MEPs said that the compulsory labelling of farm produce gives consumers valuable information about food quality and can boost growers’ competitiveness. Protection of EU geographical indications also helps safeguard food quality, the parliamentarians agreed, urging legislation in this area.

The parliament was discussing an EU food quality policy that is intended to add value to the economies of Europe’s regions and has approved draft resolutions to this effect.

Following last week’s session, the European Parliament has now asked the commission to study various options, including the introduction of a new EU quality logo, which would be available exclusively for agricultural and horticultural products originating entirely from the EU.

Farm commissioner Dacian Ciolos said he will put forward legislative proposals for an EU quality policy by year end.