Sir Paul McCartney has added his voice to growing opposition against the European Union’s proposed ban on using meat-related terms for plant-based products. The Beatles legend joined eight UK politicians urging the EU to reconsider the move, which could restrict labels such as “veggie burger” across Europe.
The former Beatle, alongside his family, backed an open letter from UK MPs calling on the European Commission to reject the proposal. The letter emphasizes that clear labelling already prevents consumer confusion, making the ban unnecessary.
In October, the European Parliament voted 355–247 in favor of banning terms like “burger,” “sausage,” and “steak” for plant-based foods. The proposal has since moved into interinstitutional negotiations between the EU Commission, Council, and Parliament, with a decision expected later this week.
Although the UK left the EU in 2020, the legislation could still affect Britain due to a recent trade agreement. Advocates of the ban argue that meat-like terminology might mislead consumers, but critics contend there is little evidence to support this claim.
McCartney, supported by cross-party MPs including Jeremy Corbyn, Siân Berry, Kerry McCarthy, and Irene Campbell, cited research and a YouGov survey showing that the vast majority of Britons are not confused by plant-based product labels. McCartney stressed that terms like “vegan” or “vegetarian” are sufficient to inform consumers while promoting healthier and more sustainable eating habits.
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