WRITTEN QUESTION E-1127/00 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: European Food Safety Authority, institutional balance (EU), scientific committee (EU)

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.

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/81

Should the regulatory bodies, i.e. the committees with representatives of the Member States, be obliged to
account for their decisions if such decisions depart from scientific advice? If so, how does the Commission
feel they should account for their actions? If not, why does the Commission not feel it necessary for the
regulatory committees to account for public decisions?

(2001/C 53 E/098)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1128/00

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 White Paper gives three reasons why risk management is not included in the Authority(cid:146)s mandate
(section 33). There is an implicit assumption that the current decision-making process provides a high
degree of accountability and transparency. This claim does not tally with reality. In most Member States
there is little democratic control of decision-making in regulatory committees. In most cases no agendas,
meeting documents or minutes are available of the meetings of the committees. In other words, current
decision-making is not transparent.

Will the Commission take initiatives to enhance democratic control of the regulatory committees? If so,
what initiatives? If not, why is it opposed to democratic control of the regulatory committees?

(2001/C 53 E/099)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1140/00

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.

Existing legislation is not consistent. The Commission says there is a need to review food legislation
(section 64). Observers say that existing food legislation has largely been adopted in response to the single
market. A review of legislation needs to be based on unambiguous principles.

Is the Commission prepared to draft a general EU foodstuffs law covering the entire food chain? If not,
why, and on what grounds, does the Commission reject a general EU foodstuffs law? Otherwise, when can
such a law come into being?

(2001/C 53 E/100)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1141/00

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.