WRITTEN QUESTION E-3971/98

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(4 January 1999)

Subject: Community reference laboratory to monitor the quality and toxicology of processed industrial products in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors

Community Directive 91/493/EEC(1) and the Regulations specific to fishery products, namely No 2136/89(2) laying down common marketing standards for preserved sardines and No 1536/92(3) laying down common marketing standards for preserved tuna and bonito, amongst others, apply to the production and marketing of preserved food, yet differ from the standards in Community legislation governing other products. Likewise, the current COM and generalised systems of preferences constitute a suitable framework for maintaining the quality of fishery products on the Community market for the benefit of consumers, and it would also be desirable for the new COM in fishery and aquaculture products in the EU to envisage doing the same.

Consequently, does the Commission not think that the new COM in fishery and aquaculture products should make provision for a reference laboratory in each of the Member States and a Community reference laboratory to monitor the quality and toxicology of processed industrial products in the fishery and aquaculture sectors, whose tasks would consist of coordinating diagnostic techniques following consultation with the Commission; making an active contribution towards identifying potential toxic sources; encouraging training and retraining in laboratory diagnosis; and cooperating with the sector on diagnostic techniques and with the competent laboratories in the third countries involved, participating as an advisory body in setting standards for the sector governing quality control tests on raw materials and similar products in keeping with the EN 45000 international standards, defining and developing R& D lines, defining quality parameters for raw materials and finished products in physicochemical, microbiological and organisational terms alike, establishing supervisory guidelines for production processes which guarantee the prevention of risks to hygiene and health, and, lastly, strengthening a connecting structure which makes information transfers possible amongst the business sector, administrative bodies, consumers and the scientific community, by encouraging them to engage in interaction?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 1999)

The Commission believes that the safety of processed fishery and aquaculture products is adequately assured through existing legislation and controls. This includes several networks of Community reference laboratories such as for marine biotoxins(4), fish(5) and bivalve(6) diseases, zoonoses(7) and residues(8). The networks are integrated by one laboratory (at least) per Member State and designated as national laboratories in the first instance by the Member State. Each network is co-ordinated by a Community reference laboratory (CRL) designated by the Council. The Commission grants financial assistance to these CRLs to improve the efficiency of food and veterinary control. There is also a network of laboratories for food control(9).

The Commission does not see any need for a new reference laboratory in each Member State and a Community reference laboratory to monitor the toxicology of processed fishery and aquaculture products, because those questions are already covered by the existing laboratory networks.

The Honourable Member refers to quality as well as safety issues. While public authorities have a responsibility to ensure product safety in the interest of consumer protection, quality issues are the responsibility of the private sector. As regards improvement of quality there is nothing to prevent the growth of voluntary exchanges and co-operation between laboratories operating in the processed fishery products field throughout the Community and such exchanges are to be encouraged. Industry and representative organisations in the sector have a prime responsibility to see to it that such networking takes place.

(1) OJ L 268, 24.9.1991, p. 15.

(2) OJ L 212, 22.7.1989, p. 79.

(3) OJ L 163, 17.6.1992, p. 1.

(4) Council Decision 93/383/EEC (OJ L 166, 8.7.1993).

(5) Council Directive 93/53/EEC (OJ L 175, 19.7.1993) .

(6) Council Directive 95/70/EC (OJ L 322, 30.12.1995).

(7) Council Directive 92/117/EC (OJ L 62, 15.3.1993).

(8) Council Directive 96/23/EC (OJ L 125, 23.5.1996) .

(9) Council Decision 90/424/EEC (OJ L 224, 18.8.1990).