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on the outside of the container, or on a label securely attached
thereto, in letters not less than one-half an inch in height and on
exposure for sale by retail by means of a show ticket clearly visible,
bearing the indication of origin also in letters not less than onehalf
an inch in height.
Paragraph 4 provides that where butter is sold retail from bulk
which is visibly marked as above, and is taken from bulk in the
presence of the purchaser, the requirement as to marking on sale
(i.e. marking the wrapper) does not apply.
The form of the indication of origin is set out in paragraph 5
of the Order as follows:-
(a) The word "Empire" if the whole of the butter included in
in the blend was produced within the Empire (whether or not some
part of it was produced in the United Kingdom), or the word
"Foreign" if the whole of the butter was produced in foreign
countries, or,
(b) Partly Empire and partly Foreign, if part of the butter was
produced in His Majesty's Dominions, outside the United Kingdom,
and part produced in foreign countries, or
(c) "Partly Foreign" if consisting of foreign butter and butter
produced in the United Kingdom, or
(d) A definite indication of the countries of origin of the butters
forming the blend, or
(e) The words "Including Imported Butter."
The recommendations made by the Standing Committee under
this Act in their report on the inquiry into the application for a
Marking Order in respect of imported butter was given the fullest
consideration by the three Departments who constitute the
"appropriate Department."
In commenting upon these recommendations, however, it would
appear t hat the minimum size of the letters, viz., 1/12th of an inch, for
marking the wrapper of pre-packed or pre-wrapped butter is too
small and is likely to be overlooked by the purchaser, particularly
when other printed matter appears upon the wrapper.
As it is not possible to determine by analysis or by any other
means the proportion of butters of different origins forming the
blend in the case of a sample of blended butter, it would be difficult
to enforce a regulation requiring a statement or declaration on the
wrapper showing the percentage of foreign butter the particular
article contained.
The option of using the declaration "Foreign," and, in the
case of a mixture, the words "Including Imported Butter," does
not convey to the purchaser any idea of the country or countries
of origin of the butter, which information purchasers might reasonably
be expected to receive.