Music legend and longtime vegetarian advocate Sir Paul McCartney has joined a growing chorus of opposition to a proposed European Union ban on using words like 'burger' and 'sausage' to describe meat-free products.
The Beatle's Plea for Common Sense
In a letter co-signed by eight British MPs, including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and ex-Green party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay, McCartney argues the ban addresses a 'nonexistent problem'. The European Parliament voted 355 to 247 in October to approve the new rules, which would prohibit terms such as steak, burger, sausage, and escalope on packaging for items made from vegetables or plant-based proteins.
'To stipulate that burgers and sausages are 'plant-based', 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' should be enough for sensible people to understand what they are eating,' McCartney stated. He emphasised that such clear labelling 'encourages attitudes which are essential to our health and that of the planet.'
A Backlash from the Farming Industry
The push for the legislation has been heavily backed by Europe's politically powerful farming and meat distribution sectors. They are concerned about the impact of falling demand for traditional meat on jobs. French MEP Céline Imart, a centre-right proponent of the ban, bluntly told the parliament: 'I accept that steak, cutlet or sausage are products from our livestock farms. Full stop. No laboratory substitutes, no plant-based products.'
This stance comes despite the surging popularity of meat alternatives. McCartney's own family brand, Linda McCartney Foods, launched in 1991, has been part of that global trend, alongside the worldwide 'Meat Free Monday' campaign he founded with his daughters.
Why the UK Could Still Be Affected
Despite Brexit, the letter warns that the EU rules could force changes in Britain, as the two markets and their regulatory frameworks remain deeply intertwined. The proposed ban represents a controversial expansion of the EU's 'geographical indication' system, which protects names like Champagne or Parma ham, into the realm of generic culinary terms.
Dictionary definitions further complicate the issue. For instance, Collins defines a burger primarily as a 'flat round mass of minced meat or vegetables', while a sausage can also mean 'an object shaped like a sausage'. The letter argues that suggested alternative names like 'discs' or 'tubes' are far less appealing and clear to consumers.
The signatories conclude that the move would unnecessarily slow progress on vital public health and climate goals, putting outdated protectionism ahead of consumer choice and environmental necessity.
