WRITTEN QUESTION E-1146/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority.
Date: 2000-04-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: drafting of EU law, food safety

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/83

(2001/C 53 E/103)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1144/00

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.

Pathogens which are passed on by animal products (zoonoses) can have a serious impact on public health.
Correct information on the presence of zoonoses is a prerequisite for taking action (section 70).

A few years ago the EU sought, via the (cid:145)zoonoses(cid:146) directive, to enable Member States to take action to
combat zoonoses. Experience has shown that this problem is very complex and that Member States do not
have adequate resources to carry out preventive measures.

1. What (cid:145)more effective measures(cid:146) referred to in the White Paper will the Commission draws up?

2. What action programmes does the Commission have in mind for combating zoonoses?

(2001/C 53 E/104)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1145/00

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.

The Commission has submitted to the Council and the European Parliament a comprehensive proposal
which summarises the measures needed to control BSE and other TSEs (section 71). The Commission is to
draw up proposals for suitable test programmes.

1. Will the Commission replace the ad hoc measures on BSE and other TSEs with comprehensive
legislation in order to create clarity? If not, in what way will the Commission create clarity in respect of
BSE and TSEs?

2. Will the Commission apply the improved Swiss methods for detecting BSE in the EU? If not, why
not?

(2001/C 53 E/105)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1146/00

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.

C 53 E/84

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

For historical reasons there are separate rules for plant products and animal products. The Commission is
to propose a new comprehensive regulation which will restate the existing legislative requirements in
respect of hygiene (section 72). The basic principle will be that food operators are responsible for the
safety of the food they produce. This approach reflects developments at international level.

In addition to the microbiological criteria, what other objectives does the Commission have in mind for
the new comprehensive regulation?

(2001/C 53 E/106)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1147/00

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.

Specific requirements exist at EU level for only a few contaminants, although many rules exist at national
level, (section 73). This leads to disparities in consumer health protection within the EU and also to
practical problems for the control authorities and industry. There is a need for standards for contaminants
in the entire chain from animal feed to end product. The scientific basis for setting these limits needs to be
addressed as a matter of priority.

1. What are the Commission(cid:146)s plans with regard to standards for contaminants?

2.

3.

For which contaminants does the EU want to set limits?

How does the Commission define its priorities?

Is the Commission considering giving the Authority the future power to set limits for contaminants?

4.
If not, who will be given the power to set such limits?

(2001/C 53 E/107)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1148/00

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.

There are no harmonised requirements for the frequency of checks on residues of pesticides (section 74).
The Commission wants to gradually introduced limits for all pesticides in raw materials. Measures will bed
taken to make good the shortcomings ion checks and in laboratory research.

In addition, some pesticides in use have not been evaluated at EU level. Files have been submitted for
authorisation for new pesticides. The approval procedure for new pesticides needs to bed speeded up. The
review of the approval of existing pesticides needs to be streamlined so as to remove from the market
products for which safety data are lacking or for which safety concerns have been identified. This will
promote the use of safer pesticides.

Is the Commission considering additional requirements for the frequency of checks on pesticide

1.
residues? If not, why not, given the adverse effect on humans and the environment?