Citation
Stephen Fallows, D. (2001), "European food policy", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 31 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2001.01731aag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
European food policy
European food policy
In January 2000, the European Commission published a "White Paper" on food safety that outlined plans for a revision of the EU legislation and procedures. This was described briefly in the last edition of Nutrition & Food Science.
The full text of this document (52 pages) is available at the following URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/library/pub/pub06_en.pdf
A summary is available as follows: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/library/press/press37_en.html
The White Paper built on an earlier "Green Paper" on the general principles of EU food law that was issued in 1997. A ten-page executive summary of the paper is available as follows: http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dgiii/gpfood1.htm
The primary intention set out in the White Paper is to make food safety measures much more open and transparent than they are at present. The White Paper maintains the generally accepted principle that it is essential to establish and maintain a high level of human health and consumer protection.
A key feature of the White Paper is the establishment of a European food authority:
This Authority would be entrusted with a number of key tasks embracing independent scientific advice on all aspects relating to food safety, operation of rapid alert systems, communication and dialogue with consumers on food safety and health issues as well as networking with national agencies and scientific bodies.
The agency would be:
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independent of industrial and political interests;
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open to public scrutiny;
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scientifically steered;
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able to cover all food issues;
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able to act quickly without unnecessary delays;
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able to communicate with consumers as well as with scientists and governmental bodies.
Consultation
The proposals have been subject to a period of public consultation during 2000.
The texts of the majority of submissions of comment have been placed on the European Commission's Web site. The submissions can be placed into a number of broad groups as suggested below. For each group the relevant access URL is given. Most documents are presented in English.
1. EU official institutions
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European Parliament (to be added following recent debate – see below).
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Economic and Social Committee.
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European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products.
Access the above via the following URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/intro/wpfs_comm_euinstituts_en.html
2. EU Member States
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Germany.
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Ireland.
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United Kingdom.
- 4.
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UK Government.
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House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union seventh report from the 1999-2000 session).
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- 5.
Spain – Fundacion Galicia – Europa.
- 6.
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Austria – Ministry of Health.
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Access the above via the following URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/intro/wpfs_comm_memberstates_en.html
3. Third countries
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Australia.
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EFTA states.
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Mexico.
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Switzerland.
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Thailand.
Access the above via the following URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/intro/wpfs_comm_thirdcountries_en.html
4. Food and drink industry
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British Hospitality Association.
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British Sugar.
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Bund fur Lebensmittelrecht und Lebensmittelkunde EV.
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CEEREAL – European Breakfast Cereal Association.
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CEFIC – European Chemical Industry Council.
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CELCAA – Conference of Food and Drink Industries of the EU.
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CELCAA – Comite Europeen de Liaison des Commerces Agro-Alime.
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CIAA – Confederation of Food and Drink Industries of the EU.
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DANISCO.
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EDA – European Dairy Association.
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EFFA – European Flavour and Fragrances Association.
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ELC – Federation of European Food Additives and Food Enzymes Associations.
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EMRA – European Modern Restaurant Association.
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Euroglaces – Association of the Ice Cream Industries of the EEC.
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EuropaBio.
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FERCO – European Association of Contract Catering Organisations.
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FDF – Food and Drink Federation.
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Food Processing Machinery Europe.
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GAM – Groupement des Associations Meunieres de l'UE.
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HOTREC – Hotels and Cafes in Europe
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McDonald's.
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Monitor Group.
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UEPAME – European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized.
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UECBV – European Livestock and Meat Trading Union.
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UNESDA – Union of EU Soft Drinks Associations.
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UNILEVER.
Access the above via the following URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/intro/wpfs_comm_fdindustry_en.html
5. Agriculture
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APCA – Assemblee Permanente des Chambres d'Agriculture, Representation Europeen de l'Agriculture Française.
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AVENTIS Crop Science.
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Bureau de l'Agriculture Britannique.
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British Veterinary Association.
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COPA and COGECA.
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Consorzio des Prosciutto di Parma.
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Dutch Product Boards for Livestock, Meat and Eggs.
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ECPA – European Crop Protection Association.
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FEDESA – European Federation of Animal Health.
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FEFANA – European Federation of Animal Feed Additive Manufacturers.
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NFU – National Farmers Union of England and Wales.
Access the above via the following URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/intro/wpfs_comm_agriculture_en.html
6. Retail and distribution
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COCERAL.
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EUROCOMMERCE – The Retail, Wholesale and International Trade Representation to the EU.
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Sainsbury.
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UEPAME – European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.
Access the above via the following URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/intro/wpfs_comm_retail_en.html
7. Consumers groups
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BEUC – the European Consumers' Organisation.
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Coldiretti, Coop e Legambiente.
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Consumers Association.
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Consumers in Europe Group.
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Comitato consumatori Altroconsumo.
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ECAS – Euro Citizen Action Service.
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Escuela Europea de consumidores.
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EuroCoop – European Community of Consumer Cooperatices.
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UFCS – Union Feminine Civique et Sociale.
Access the above via the following URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/intro/wpfs_comm_consumers_en.html
8. Others
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Accademia Italiana della Cucina Italiana.
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Assoociazione fra la Societa Italiane per Azoni.
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Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour.
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British Housewives' League.
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CIEH – Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
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Comite permanent des Medicins Europeens.
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EU Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Belgium.
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European Committee of Food, Catering and Allied Workers Unions within the IUF.
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The European Policy Centre.
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European Working Community for Food Inspection and Consumer Protection.
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Federal German Association of Food Chemists in Public Institutions.
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FVE – Federation of Veterinarians in Europe.
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Goldsmiths College, University of London.
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IBC – International Butchers' Confederation.
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Institut de Estudios Europeo, Valladolid.
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Danish Union of Food and Allied Workers – NNF Denmark.
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Patronat Catal Pro Europa.
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Servicio de Consumo, Santander.
Access the above via the following URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/intro/wpfs_comm_others_en.html
Key speeches
The proposed creation of the European Food Authority and consequent changes to European food legislation have formed the theme of a number of presentations made by David Byrne, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection. Recent examples include:
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Remarks to the Group of the European People's Party and European Democrats in the European Parliament – 27 September 2000. http:europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/library/speeches/speech57_en.html
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Remarks at the conclusion of the debate on Food Safety, Strasbourg, 25 October 2000. http:europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/library/speeches/speech65_en.html
European Parliament
David Byrne's remarks to the European Parliament are noted above.
A variety of documents relating to the European Parliament's consideration of the proposals (including verbatim records of debates and reports from relevant committees) can be accessed via the institution's Web site. The general access URL is: http://europarl.eu.int/home.default_en.html
In addition to the debate on 25 October 2000, the Food Safety Proposals were also considered on 18 January 2000.
Debates in plenary session are generally most easily accessed using the date as a key indicator. The verbatim reports are usually available within a day or two – however translations from each speaker's native language may take some time.
Reports can be accessed through a number of methods – the rapporteur's surname is a good starting point – this name can in turn be discovered by noting who presents the report to a plenary session.
Three professors' report
The Commission white paper was published shortly after a report from three eminent professors (all members of the EU's Scientific Steering Committee). This trio recommended that the EU create a European Food and Public Health Authority – this body would encompass all the elements of the proposed European Food Authority but would have a wider remit.
This report (published December 1999) is available via the Internet as follows:
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Full report (74 pages) at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/future_food_en.html
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A shorter version (27 pages) at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/welcome.htm
To find the document use reference number DOC/99/17.
The three professors' report shows very strong resemblance to the report prepared by Professor Philip James for the incoming Labour Government in the UK in 1997. Professor James was a member of the EU trio of professors.
Latest position
At the time of writing this article (November 2000) the latest position was that the European Commission had issued a proposal for the creation of a new EU Regulation that will lay down the general principles of European food law. It will also establish the European Food Authority and lay down procedures in matters of food safety.
The URL to access this proposal (67 pages) is: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/intro/efa_prop_en.pdf
The proposal is divided into five main sections:
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Scope and definitions.
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General food law:
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Principles and requirements of food law.
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Food safety requirements.
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Principles of food trade.
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Transparency.
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- 4.
European Food Authority:
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Mission and tasks.
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Organisation.
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Operation.
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Independence, transparency and communication.
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Financial provisions.
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General provisions.
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- 6.
Rapid alert system, crisis management and emergency situations:
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Rapid alert system.
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Crisis management.
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Emergency situations.
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- 8.
Procedures and final provisions:
- 9.
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Decision-making procedures.
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Final provisions.
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If you have identified a Web site likely to be of interest to readers of Nutrition & Food Science please contact the author of this series of articles at one for the addresses given below. Acknowledgement will be given to those providing such identification.
By e-mail to stephen.fallows@luton.ac.uk; by fax to 01234 766926 or 01582 743237; by post at the University of Luton.
Dr Stephen FallowsUniversity of Luton