Broad mandate for new European Food Safety Authority

The Europeans new edifice to food safety and stronger principles for EU food law moved closer to existence this week when, at a second reading, the European Parliament (EP) established a clearer position.

"Today's reading in the Parliament is a huge step towards having the Authority up and running early next year and Europe is well on track to ensure safe food from the farm to the fork,"​ said Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission.

David Bryne, Health and Consumer Protection said the amendments tabled by the Parliament help to strengthen and improve the new EU food safety regime. Byrne expressed strong hopes that the EP position paves the way for a rapid adoption of the Regulation and the start of operations of the Authority in the first half of 2002 in line with conclusions of the Nice European Council.

The EP's idea to change the name of the Authority to "European Food Safety Authority" (EFSA) to underline its key vocation on food safety matters also got the Commissions support.

Byrne expressed his particular pleasure that the Parliament has supported the Commission's proposal for a broad mandate for the Authority, which, he maintains, has always been key to the early identification of emerging risks in the food chain and to preventing BSE type crises.

Other key aspects of the EP position include an amendment that would put in place a management board of fifteen members, including a representative of the Commission. Four members of the Board will have backgrounds in consumer and industry matters.

Also, for the first time it will be clearly defined in European law what is considered a food. General traceability requirements are set out as well as the principle to put only safe food on the market. The EP European Parliament introduced requirements on Tuesday to increase transparency in the preparation and review of food law, as a complement to the transparency requirements already set out for the assessment of scientific information on food safety.

Amendments have also been introduced that clarify the responsibilities of food and feed business operators and their employees with respect to public health protection.

If all continues to go smoothly early 2002 should witness the start of a new era for food safety in Europe.