BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest | Vol. 4, Number 43 | November 14, 2000
The European Commission adopted a proposal on 8 November that sketches out a European Food Agency (EFA) and the principles that should guide European food laws. Details of the plan are scheduled to be announced on 15 November. When implemented, the principles should help the Commission keep an eye on the entire food chain, from the farm to the fork.
At the heart of the proposal -- submitted by Health and Consumer Commissioner David Byrne and Enterprise Commissioner Erkki Liikanen -- is a desire to promote the protection of human life, the protection of the consumers' interests and the traceability of food and feed. The proposal sets out clearly defined responsibilities for food and feed business operators and public authorities, and acknowledges the importance of the precautionary principle.
As the organisation responsible for implementing new food legislation, the EFA will be a separate legal entity from the Community. It will cover all issues having a direct or indirect impact on food safety, as well as animal health and welfare and plant health and nutrition, including genetically modified organisms. In addition to providing up-to-date scientific advice to European policymakers, the EFA will also inform the wider public about food safety issues, including the operation of a rapid alert system for food and feed.
The Commission will retain responsibility for risk management and emergency measures, such as marketing bans or the imposition of specific conditions for marketing. A newly-created Committee on Food Safety and Animal Health will subsequently review any such measures taken. The EFA will serve as a pivot in the rapid alert network, gathering and redistributing information and providing necessary scientific and technical advice to the process.
Once fully operational, the EFA could employ about 300 people, with a budget of some E40m. To date, no decision has been taken as to the location of the EFA, although several European cities, including Helsinki, Barcelona, and Parma, are eager to host the Authority.
"EU Food Agency Plans Revealed", FINANCIAL TIMES, 7 November 2000, ICTSD Internal Files.BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest:
