WRITTEN QUESTION E-1122/00 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

C 53 E/80

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

The operations mentioned by the Honourable Member, according to the information received by the
Commission, did not have Community dimension and were or are being assessed by the Spanish
competition authorities.

(1) Ecfin 209/00, http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/document/econeur/berg/gope2000_en.pdf.
(2) A concentration has a Community dimension where: (a) the combined aggregate world-wide turnover of all the
undertakings concerned is more than € 5 000 million; and (b) the aggregate Community-wide turnover of each of
at least two of the undertakings concerned is more than € 250 million, unless each of the undertakings concerned
achieves more than two thirds of its aggregate Community-wide turnover within one and the same Member State.
A concentration that does not meet the thresholds laid down above has a Community dimension where: (a) the
combined aggregate world-wide turnover of all the undertakings concerned is more than € 2 500 million; (b) in
each of at least three Member States, the combined aggregate turnover of all the undertakings concerned is more
than € 100 million; (c) in each of at least three Member States included for the purpose of point (b), the aggregate
turnover of each of at least two of the undertakings concerned is more than € 25 million; and (d) the aggregate
Community-wide turnover of each of at least two of the undertakings concerned is more than € 100 million; unless
each of the undertakings concerned achieves more than two-thirds of its aggregate Community-wide turnover
within one and the same Member State.

(2001/C 53 E/096)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1122/00

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.

In the White Paper the Commission says that it seeks a high level of food safety and consumer protection.
This objective affects the entire food chain, including imports from third countries. Accordingly, there is
an obvious need for an integrated approach to food safety. The White Paper consists of 117 sections and
in the Annex it lists 84 legislative measures which have to be implemented as a matter of priority in three
years(cid:146) time.

Does the Commission acknowledge that in the past the procedure for adopting legislation has usually
taken more than three years? If so, how will the Commission manage to meet the proposed deadline? Will
this require any procedural changes?

(2001/C 53 E/097)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1127/00

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 seeks to restore and maintain a high level of consumer protection and consumer
confidence (section 29 ff.). Establishing a European Food Authority is intended to help. The Commission
has not opted for an American-style agency. The regulatory committees with representatives of the
Member States will continue to be responsible for drafting and taking decisions. Decision-making on
food safety will therefore continue to be influenced by considerations other than scientific ones.