WRITTEN QUESTION E-0715/98 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) and Salvatore Tatarella (NI) to the Commission (18 March 1998)

Subject: Food legislation - consumer health

In connection with 'The General Principles of Food Law in the European Union' (Commission Green Paper) and 'Consumer Health and Food Safety' (Commission Communication) (COM(98) 176 final and COM(97) 183 final),

it is recommended that the scientific committees should be consulted more, provided that the decision-making process reflects the principles of excellence, independence and transparency.

Can the Commission therefore ensure that, in order to carry out their duties to the full, the scientific committees represent various disciplines and that the committees' discussions and their outcome, including minority positions, are made accessible to the general public?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (29 April 1998)

When setting up the new Scientific Committees, the Commission took into account the concern expressed by the Honourable Members in relation to the multidisciplinary structure of the Scientific Committees, protecting minority opinions within them and public access to the scientific opinions delivered by them.

The Commission hasdefined the responsibilities and tasks of the eight Scientific Committees established by its Decision No 97/579/EC of 23 July 1997 on setting up Scientific Committees in the field of consumer health and food safety ((OJ L 237, 28.8.1997. )) in such a way that all aspects involving the protection of consumer health and food safety are covered. In the annex to its Decision, the Commission has also specified each Scientific Committee's field of competence.

The Committees are orientated towards a multidisciplinary method of working within their field of competence. In appointing the Committee members the Commission took care to ensure, in accordance with the above Decision, that collectively the widest range of scientific disciplines were covered. Moreover, the Commission sought to select experts not only with scientific expertise in their own discipline but also with multidisciplinary experience and knowledge.

The multidisciplinary approach must be further encouraged through close cooperation between the various Scientific Committees. The obligation to cooperate is provided for in the Decision. The Scientific Committees still have to finalise their rules of procedure, but they will without doubt attach great importance to forms of cooperation. It is planned, for example, to organise joint working groups or consult the members of other committees as experts. The Scientific Steering Committee has an essential coordination role to play here.

An essential condition for well-founded scientific opinion is the free exchange of views within the Committees. This may imply the expression of minority opinions. The Decision therefore provides for minority opinions to be published together with the opinions of the Committee. However they are attributed to members only at their request.

The principle of transparency is primarily guaranteed by the fact that the opinions of the Scientific Committees are made publicly available. Restrictions are only possible when they are legally imposed by the protection of data and confidential information or intellectual property. Moreover, the agendas and the minutes of the meetings are made publicly available.