Green MEPs to tackle the causes of food scares
The 'Join the Food Revolution 'campaign was launched in Dublin on 13 April. The initiative aims to tackle the causes of food scares such as BSE, salmonella and toxic residues in farmed salmon, and to look at ways to reduce obesity levels. The Greens' ten point plan for food quality aims to promote healthy food production and healthy eating habits in Europe. The goal of the plan is to restore consumer confidence in the way food is produced. The plan calls for better controls over the food industry in the testing of food additives, colourings and flavourings. According to the Greens, although several thousands of these ingredients are authorised, toxicological studies of their potentially complex interaction in our bodies are missing. The ten point plan also calls for all tax privileges for factory farm methods such as battery hens, to be removed. Organic farming methods should be promoted and regulations introduced to support small farmers and small local food producers. The campaign aims to highlight how Green MEPs across Europe have offered the best hope for safe and healthy food production and outlines their strategy for ending consumer food scares. Irish MP Mary White said: 'The big food scares of the past few years, such as BSE, cancer risks from farmed salmon, salmonella in chicken and bird flu. These have all shaken consumer trust, especially in meat and processed food.' The Greens are also calling on the Irish Government to oppose the granting of authorisation to a variety of genetically modified maize, called BT 11, during a meeting of agricultural ministers on 26 April in Luxembourg. With the launch of their Dublin Declaration, the Greens are demanding that Ireland is declared a genetically modified-free zone.
Kraje
Ireland