It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
Or the Jews being persecuted again?
originally posted by: liteonit6969
Hi
Basically we have a situation where the European commission has adopted the guidelines that all products from Israel occupied lands will have to be labeled so.
I don't really see any difference given that most people don't read labels. All they look at is price and sometimes nutrition or relevant info.
However Israel has called this ridiculous and being discriminated against.
What do you think?
Just tidying up paper work?
Or the Jews being persecuted again?
link
I'm no fan of the EU, but I would support this move if it were to reach stores in the UK.
originally posted by: liteonit6969
What do you think?
Exactly, and origin labels are compulsory in the UK already for most foods/wine/olive oil etc if produced outside the EU.
originally posted by: manuelram16
a reply to: liteonit6969
a 'WARNING LABEL' is not the same as an 'ORIGIN LABEL'....
What do you think?
Just tidying up paper work?
Or the Jews being persecuted again?
What is the Commission's suggested wording?
For products from West Bank or the Golan Heights that originate from settlements, the expression "Israeli settlement" or equivalent needs to be added, in brackets, for example. So, "product from the Golan Heights (Israeli settlement)" or "product from West Bank (Israeli settlement)" could be used.
Products from the West Bank not originating from settlements could be labelled "product from Palestine" or "product from West Bank (Palestinian product)".
Since 2009, the UK has implemented voluntary guidelines for labelling, which distinguishes West Bank produce made in Israeli settlements from Palestinian West Bank produce. Similar guidelines have been put in place by Denmark and Belgium.
An EU source told the BBC that the labels would have to include the word "settlement", as under EU consumer law it would be misleading to simply mark them as products from Israel or from the Palestinian territories.
The source said this was not a new obligation or a political decision, but designed to clarify member states' obligations to ensure consumers are fully informed.
The EU, the source added, does not view the occupied territories as legally part of Israel, so products from there cannot be labelled as from Israel or benefit from preferential trade agreements.
Since 2004, produce from settlements have not benefited from trade preferences, and EU law already requires the places of origin of fruits, vegetables and honey to be labelled.
BBC
originally posted by: stumason
a reply to: LadyGreenEyes
It is NOT "discriminatory" - all it is doing is amending the already existing "labels of origin" rules to make a distinction between products which are made in Israel and those made in the Occupied lands.
The EU regards them as illegally occupied lands, not part of Israel so feels consumers should be able to make the choice as to whether they want to purchase products from there.
It's not like they've out a big red label on stuff saying
"WARNING - MADE BY JEWS!"
Here, read some balanced reporting on it:
What is the Commission's suggested wording?
For products from West Bank or the Golan Heights that originate from settlements, the expression "Israeli settlement" or equivalent needs to be added, in brackets, for example. So, "product from the Golan Heights (Israeli settlement)" or "product from West Bank (Israeli settlement)" could be used.
Products from the West Bank not originating from settlements could be labelled "product from Palestine" or "product from West Bank (Palestinian product)".
Since 2009, the UK has implemented voluntary guidelines for labelling, which distinguishes West Bank produce made in Israeli settlements from Palestinian West Bank produce. Similar guidelines have been put in place by Denmark and Belgium.
An EU source told the BBC that the labels would have to include the word "settlement", as under EU consumer law it would be misleading to simply mark them as products from Israel or from the Palestinian territories.
The source said this was not a new obligation or a political decision, but designed to clarify member states' obligations to ensure consumers are fully informed.
The EU, the source added, does not view the occupied territories as legally part of Israel, so products from there cannot be labelled as from Israel or benefit from preferential trade agreements.
Since 2004, produce from settlements have not benefited from trade preferences, and EU law already requires the places of origin of fruits, vegetables and honey to be labelled.
BBC