Watson celebrates hard won victory over Palestinian food labelling

12.00.00am GMT Sat 12th Dec 2009

Graham Watson MEP has welcomed the decision to clearly distinguish between goods produced by Palestinians in the occupied territories and produce from Israeli settlements.

EU law states that the geographic origin of food products should be clearly stated on packaging, but leaves member states to police the system.

Until recently, a distinction was only made between "Israel" and the "West Bank", failing to take into account food produced in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers live in these occupied territories, which are deemed illegal under international law.

Graham lobbied both the EU Commission and the UK Government for a year and a half on the issue, and in early December guidance was issued that food produced in occupied territories should be clearly labeled.

Graham believes it is an important victory for consumer choice and transparency;

"I welcome the Government's decision to, albeit belatedly, bring in these rules.

"This is not about discriminating against Israelis, but allowing consumers to make an informed choice about the produce they buy.

"It was an odd situation whereby UK rules tacitly reinforced a widely recognised international injustice. I am pleased this has been rectified"

To view Graham's correspondence to the Foreign Office and European Commission, click the links below;

http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org/resources/sites/82.165.40.25-4176318e5862b2.86801678/Misc/Letter+from+the+EU+External+Affairs+Commissioner+to+Graham+Watson+regarding+the+labelling+of+food+products+from+the+occupied+territories.pdf

http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org/resources/sites/82.165.40.25-4176318e5862b2.86801678/Misc/Letter+from+the+UK+FCO+to+Graham+Watson+regarding+the+labelling+of+food+products+from+the+occupied+territories.pdf