Prodi welcomes progress on European Food Authority
European Commission President Romano Prodi has welcomed the 'highly constructive' position adopted by the European Parliament on 11 December, giving the proposed European Food Authority (EFA) a broader mandate and changing its name to reflect more accurately its role in food safety matters. The position was reached by the Parliament during its plenary debate on the regulation setting up a European Food Authority and laying down the principles for EU food law. It marks significant progress towards final approval by the Council and implementation of the authority in the first half of 2002. 'Today's reading in the Parliament is a huge step towards having the authority up and running early next year,' said President Prodi. 'Only 13 months ago the Commission tabled the legislative proposal. This speedy progress demonstrates that Europe can work fast and well when all players acknowledge the interest at stake, with public support. Europe is well on track to ensure safe food from farm to fork.' The Commission accepted a Parliament recommendation to change the name of the authority from the European Food Authority (EFA) to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to underline its key role in food safety matters. The Parliament also relaxed its earlier pressure for amendments that would have restricted the scope of the authority's activities. Consensus emerged on a broad mandate for the EFSA, including a wide range of scientific and technical support tasks on all matters with an impact on food safety. The EFSA's mission will include the provision of scientific opinions on all issues relating to animal health and welfare, plant health and genetically modified organisms. Informing the public about its activities will also be a key aspect of the authority's task. The institutions also reached a compromise on the composition and selection procedures for the management board of the EFSA. The Parliament adopted an amendment that would put in place a 15-member board, including a Commission representative and four members with backgrounds in industry and commerce. Members will be appointed by the Council in consultation with the Parliament, and the board itself will nominate an Executive Director who will give a statement and be interviewed before the Parliament prior to appointment. MEPs also voted a resolution setting out criteria for a suitable location for the EFSA, a seat for which is expected to be decided soon. The regulation setting up a European Food Safety Authority also encompasses general principles for food law, including the first clear definition of a food in European law and general traceability requirements and safety principles. Food safety and Consumer protection Commissioner, David Byrne, thanked MEPs for their cooperation and said: 'Sound scientific assessment and advice and a convincing communication role will put the European Food Safety Authority in a top position to ensure our citizens' trust and confidence in the food they eat.' He added: 'I am particularly pleased that the Parliament has supported the Commission's proposal for a broad mandate for the authority, which for me has always been key to the early identification of emerging risks in the food chain and to preventing BSE-type crises.' The proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation setting out the general principles of food law and establishing the authority was put forward by the Commission on 8 November 2000 as one of the priority actions under its White Paper on food safety.