Food safety not a game, warns consumer organisation

Related tags Efsa European union

"Food safety is not a political football," said the European
Consumers Organisation BEUC in response to recent reports on a
proposal to divide the location of the European Food
SafetyAuthority between two Member States - Finland and Italy.

"Food safety is not a political football,"​ said the European Consumers Organisation BEUC in response to recent reports on a proposal to divide the location of the European Food SafetyAuthority (EFSA) between two Member States - Finland and Italy.

Leaving no doubt as to its position, BEUC said "if this is a serious proposal, BEUC would be absolutely opposed to it. Such a proposal would be stupid."

The comments from the consumer organisation follow reports in the press that the EFSA might be established in Finland, together with a new agency in Italy to promote certain types of foods. The proposal follows discord between Finland and Italy who both campaigned for the agency to be based in their respective countries. Their political wranglings have served to slow down the decision on a new location for the EFSA.

"If there is a need for such a new agency the arguments for it should be set out for all to see and assess. A decision to setup a new agency should be made only after proper consultation with all interestedparties, and not as a political quid pro quo,"​ said BEUC.

The consumer organisation has been following the development of the EFSA with an eagle eye. On the inauguration of the new EFSA Executive Director Geoffrey Podger last month, BEUC warned that it already saw shortfalls.

"We are not at all confidentthat the European Council decided for the best representation of the various interests in the EFSAManagement Board. The Authority must now win our trust by the excellence and independence of its work."

Recent reports on dividing the EFSA location will do little to create that trust. Jim Murray, BEUC​ director commented this week: "Any efforts to promote certain types of foodshould be absolutely divorced from the EFSA, which is concerned with food safety."

The EFSA is currently based at a temporary location in Brussels.

Related topics Food Safety & Quality

Related news

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars