Today, the European Parliament voted on new EU rules to prevent, eliminate or reduce the level of health risks to humans, animals and plants, which may arise along the entire food chain. This regulation is one of the most important pieces of legislation in the field of food safety in this legislature.
S&D MEP Karin Kadenbach, who was the chief negotiator for the Parliament on this issue, said:
“Food scandals, like the horse meat scandal, have shown the need for better consumer protection. Consumers have a right to know what they eat and honest food producers the right to be protected from breaches along the chain. The new EU rules will improve food traceability, combat fraud and restore consumer trust in the whole food chain. With these new rules a scandal like the horse meat one will not happen again.
“The negotiations between the Parliament, the Council and the Commission took 18 months, and a number of controversial issues had to be solved, but it was worthwhile: the outcome is good for consumers, operators and the competent authorities. We improved food security and cut red tape. This harmonised framework will replace seven directives and two regulations, clarifying who is responsible for what, when and where.”
Miriam Dalli, MEP and S&D spokesperson for public health and food safety, added:
“Although controls of food, feed and live animals are, and will continue to be, primarily a task for member states, we will now have strict controls all over Europe. From now on, a single, integrated framework will apply to all official controls along the entire food chain, at all stages of production, processing and distribution.
“The new framework will provide safer food for EU consumers and strengthen animal health and animal welfare. As the new EU rules follow a more risk-based approach, authorities will be able to focus their resources on the most relevant issues, carry out unannounced controls and react faster in crisis situations. While member states are obliged to lay down rules for stricter and more effective penalties for fraudsters, the new law includes better protection for whistle-blowers. This is a timely and important piece of EU legislation which will guarantee that the food which EU consumers buy and eat is safe and wholesome."
