Top News

Sir Keir Starmer risks "alienating Paddington Bear" with EU marmalade rules that could force British producers to re-label their jars, Conservatives have warned. Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart savaged Labour over plans to align with Brussels regulations that will require marmalade to be labelled differently, or to specify the type of citrus fruits used.

Mr Burghart said: "Labour are hiding behind their ongoing scandals to once again cede our sovereignty. The Prime Minister should abandon his pipe dream of rejoining the EU and focus on securing the country's future." He added: "The British people voted to leave the European Union precisely so we didn't have to follow ridiculous Brussels diktats, such as those on marmalade. Starmer is sinking to new lows and even risks alienating Paddington Bear with his decisions."

Mr Burghart said: "Only the Conservatives, under new leadership, have a credible plan to deliver a stronger economy and a stronger country."

The row erupted after Labour minister Angela Eagle revealed that as part of a deal with Eurocrats the Government is making a "sovereign choice in the national interest to align in some areas where it makes sense to do so".

In a parliamentary answer, Ms Eagle said the agreement "will mean less red tape and fewer costs for agrifood businesses trading with the EU".

She said this is expected to include rules on fruit jams, jellies and marmalades under an EU Directive.

According to the UK government website there is a raft of laws currently being considered as part of a reset deal with the European Union.

The government insists this is being done to slash red tape, with dozens of regulations listed as "in scope" on their website. It includes chocolate, honey, coffee and even milk.

The labelling of beef products could also fall into scope, as well as the labelling of natural mineral water.

Ms Eagle said: "The EU recently updated its rules on jams, jellies and marmalade, which will entail some changes to labelling of marmalade - requiring producers to label as 'citrus marmalade' or specify the type of citrus fruits used, which most UK producers already do."

She added: "Jam producers will need to comply with EU rules on labelling of jams, extra jams and reduced sugar jams and ensure their labelling reflects compositional requirements, which will entail change for some producers."

But Labour hit back at the criticism, insisting British marmalade is not changing.

A Labour spokesperson said: "British marmalade is not changing. There is no requirement for retailers or producers to re-label orange marmalade as 'citrus marmalade', and jars on UK shelves will remain exactly as they are today."

The spokesperson added: "After the botched Tory Brexit deal, this Labour government is cutting unnecessary red tape with our largest export market, raising billions of pounds for the British economy - something we would expect the Shadow Chancellor to support."

It is understood that the concept of alienating Paddington Bear is one the Labour Party dispute.