WRITTEN QUESTION E-1148/00 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, pesticide residue

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?

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/85

2. What action is the Commission taking to speed up the evaluation procedures for pesticides in views
of the continuing use of unsafe pesticides when newer and possibly safer products are available?

(2001/C 53 E/108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1150/00

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 says the procedure for authorising the marketing of novel foods should be clarified and
made more transparent. Exemptions need to be reviewed. The Commission is to adopt an implementing
regulation to clarify the procedures of the novel food regulation. It will also present a propoisal to improve
that regulation in accordance with the revised regulatory framework of directive 90/220/EEC. The labelling
provisions for novel foods also need to be completed and harmonised.

1.

In what respect will the authorisation process for novel foods change?

2. Will more products come within the scope of the regulation? If so, which ones?

3. What will be the role of the Food Authority in assessing novel foods?

4.

In future will identical ingredients from GMOs appear on the label?

(2001/C 53 E/109)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1151/00

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 says the rules for food additives and flavourings need to be amended in several respects.
Firstly, the Commission wants the power to maintain the EU lists of authorised food additives and
clarification of the status of enzymes. Secondly, the lists of colouring matters, sweeteners and other
additives need to be updated. Thirdly, the purity criteria for colouring matters, sweeteners and other
additives need to be amended.

Appropriate purity criteria for food additives made from novel sources have to be laid down. The
Commission is to publish a report on the intake of
food additives. Research is needed into the
toxicological effects of substances naturally present in flavourings. The Commission is to update the
register of flavouring substances and lay down a list of additives authorised for used in flavourings.

1. Why does the Commission no longer wish to apply the codecision procedure for sweeteners,
colouring matters and other additives? Does this not detract from the democratic right of the European
Parliament to take decisions?

2.

In what respect does the Commission wish to change the status of enzymes?

3. Will there be a change in the requirements for permitted additives? Will the Commission lay down
other purity criteria for additives obtained from novel sources?