WRITTEN QUESTION E-1933/02

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: Operation of the rapid alert system in response to nitrofen contamination

In May 2002, it was reported that the weedkiller nitrofen, which is banned in the EU, had been found in cereals in Germany and in poultry feed made from them. Pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety(1), a Member State is required to notify the Commission immediately of any serious direct or indirect risk to human health arising from a foodstuff or animal feed which comes to its attention, and the Commission is to forward this information immediately to the members of the network. However, according to the Belgian press Germany only informed the Commission and the Member States which appear to have been involved, while the other Member States received insufficient official information (De Morgen, 15 June 2002). The letter of 30 May 2002 from the Dutch minister to the Lower House of Parliament (Parliamentary Paper 26991, no 67) does not mention the role of the rapid alert system in the dissemination of information about the nitrofen contamination. The letter states that the information was received from the German authorities.

1. Can the Commission confirm that the rapid alert system came into operation for the purpose of forwarding information about the nitrofen contamination in Germany?

2. What is the Commission's assessment of the way in which the rapid alert system operated?

3. If the rapid alert system did not operate satisfactorily, can the Commission say why this was, in its view, and what improvements it intends to make?

4. Does the Commission agree that confidence in European rules and procedures relating to food safety is essential and that proper communication concerning European action is important? What arrangements has the Commission made for such communication?

(1) OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2002)

The Commission confirms that the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, established by Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety, was used to inform the members of the network on the contamination by nitrofen in the feed and food chain. The Commission considers that the information exchange

through this system functions very well. However, the system depends on the information transmitted by the members of the network. Therefore the Commission continuously reminds the Member States that the good functioning of the system depends on the timely transmission of information as detailed and complete as possible.

Growing interest from third countries demonstrates the positive perception of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed by food control authorities world-wide.

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that confidence in the rules and procedures relating to food safety and communication are essential. In the particular case of the contamination by nitrofen, the Commission has constantly reacted to all media enquiries, issued a specific press release and posted information on the web-site of the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection.