The European food industry would not want to exchange the substantial administrative burden for a lower level of food safety and product quality. Dairy farms give preference to the European legislation on food above other systems, in particular that of the United States. However, European legislation does hamper innovation: it takes a long time for a new product to enter the market in Europe, the costs are high and the rules are unclear.
These were the findings of a study carried out by LEI Wageningen UR for the European Commission, looking at the relationship between the competitiveness of the European food industry and the pressure of administrative burdens. The report asserts that mentioning the producer on the packaging is only beneficial in the case of a unique product. For other products, it is better to simply scale up all the steps in the production process. A label stating ‘Made in the EU’ is not advised: this would mask specific differences between companies and countries, and any problems that may arise would then cause repercussions for the whole of the EU.
Report 2008-066 Administrative burdens in the European food industry; With special attention to the diary sector
Background Report Food legislation and competitiveness in the EU food industry; Case studies in the dairy industry