Council Directive 93/5/EEC of 25 February 1993 on assistance to the Commission and cooperation by the Member States in the scientific examination of questions relating to food

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 93/5/EEC of 25 February 1993 on assistance to the Commission and cooperation by the Member States in the scientific examination of questions relating to food
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
In cooperation with the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas the completion and smooth operation of the internal market for foodstuffs make it necessary to examine and evaluate scientific questions relating to food, particularly when these questions concern human health;
Whereas consumers are entitled to a Community food policy which promotes safe food particularly regarding nutritional, microbiological and toxicological issues;
Whereas in order to assist with this task the Commission set up a Scientific Committee for Food by Decision 74/234/EEC (4);
Whereas consultation of this Committee is currently required, in relation to questions of public health, by a number of Directives such as those on dietetic foodstuffs, materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs, additives,  flavourings and extraction solvents;
Whereas the Scientific Committee for Food should be involved much more widely in Community policies that affect food, diet and public health;
Whereas the process of achieving a satisfactory scientific base for matters relating to food safety must, in the interests of consumers and industry be independent, transparent and effective and must reflect the situation existing in all Member States;
Whereas in order to ensure the smooth running of this Committee the Community needs scientific support from the Member States;
Whereas the Community also needs scientific support for other questions of public interest essential to the operation of the internal market, such as the handling of incidents involving food contamination and in general where it is necessary to lay down  new rules concerning foodstuffs which may affect human health;
Whereas, in order to ensure that these tasks are carried out, the Commission must have access to the information and assistance available in the Member States, which must facilitate the accomplishment of its tasks;
Whereas in the Member States there are various bodies whose task is to provide their governments with scientific back-up on questions concerning foodstuffs; whereas it is necessary to use these resources effectively to support Community activities  through cooperation;
Whereas Member States shall take all the necessary measures including financial measures, within the limits of their resources, to enable their competent authorities and bodies to cooperate with the Commission and lend it the assistance it needs in the  scientific examination of questions of public interest relating to food;
Whereas there must therefore be an approximation of the provisions governing these bodies in order that they may cooperate with the Commission with the aim especially of drawing up future rules to ensure the free movement of foodstuffs, on the basis of  all the scientific data available;
Whereas it is necessary to enhance and strengthen the powers and expertise of the Scientific Committee for Food, particularly with the aim of increasing the effectiveness of the Community in food issues;
Whereas it is necessary to make provision for third countries to participate in this cooperation;
Whereas the Commission must be responsible for the management of this cooperation and the Member States for their part must assist in this task, in the context of the Standing Committee for Food;
Whereas the completion of the internal market should give rise to increased participation of the Community in meetings and work on foodstuffs of international organizations and also in bilateral relations,