WRITTEN QUESTION E-1149/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 April 2000)

Subject: White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority

The White Paper on Food Safety (COM(1999) 719 final) was published in January 2000. Chapter 4 is concerned with establishing a European Food Authority (EFA). Chapter 5 considers legislation on food safety.

Is there a scenario at EU level with measures in the event of a nuclear accident occurring in or in the vicinity of the EU? If so, what is the main thrust of these measures? If not, will the Commission draw up an action programme for nuclear accidents?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 June 2000)

Food of animal and vegetable origin carries inherent risks of microbiological and chemical contamination, including radioactivity. The White Paper on Food Safety(1) confirms how important it is to adopt a proactive attitude to all types of contamination and to continue close monitoring of the situation following the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

Among the measures the Community took after Chernobyl, as early as 1987 it adopted Council Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87 of 22 December 1987 laying down maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of foodstuffs and of feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency(2), as amended by Council Regulation (Euratom) No 2218/89 of 18 July 1989(3) and supplemented by regulations(4). Article 2 of Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87 provides that in the event of the Commission receiving in particular according to either the Community arrangements for the early exchange of information established pursuant to Council Decision 87/600/Euratom of 14 December 1987 on Community arrangements for the early exchange of information in the event of a radiological emergency(5), or under the International Atomic Energy Agency Convention of 26 September 1986 on early notification of a nuclear accident official information on accidents or on any other case of radiological emergency, substantiating that the maximum permissible levels in the Annex to Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87 are likely to be reached or have been reached, it will immediately adopt a regulation rendering those maximum permissible levels applicable. This regulation will be of limited duration (no more than three months). Within that time the Commission will present to the Council a proposal for a regulation confirming the action taken or if necessary adapting the levels to the requirements of the accident, taking economic and social factors into account where appropriate.

(1) COM(1999) 719 final.

(2) OJ L 371, 30.12.1987.

(3) OJ L 211, 27.7.1989.

(4) Commission Regulation (Euratom) No 944/89 of 12 April 1989 laying down maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination in minor foodstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency OJ L 101, 13.4.1989. Council Regulation (EEC) No 2219/89 of 18 July 1989 on the special conditions for exporting foodstuffs and feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency OJ L 211, 27.7.1989. Commission Regulation (Euratom) No 770/90 of 29 March 1990 laying down maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination of feedingstuffs following a nuclear accident or any other case of radiological emergency OJ L 83, 30.3.1990.

(5) OJ L 371, 30.12.1987.