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European food sector has to drive innovation
(Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2002 -- CropChoice news) --
September 10, 2002
European Commissiom – Press Release:
Innovation in the farming and food sector is a vital issue to which Europe
will need to devote significant attention and energy in the coming years.
David Byrne, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, said at the
Informal Agriculture Council in Nyborg today, that he regards it as
essential in relation to food safety, tracability, food quality, new
products and animal welfare. European policies look to further development
on the basis of increased interaction between enterprise, research and
consumer policies. Commissioner Byrne said: "European consumers expect the
food they eat to be safe and of high quality. They value variety of choice.
They also expect it to be produced in accordance with good farming practices
with respect for the environment and for the welfare of animals. They want
to be informed, in a precise and accurate manner, about the composition,
nutritional value, durability, origin and, in certain cases, the method of
production of the food offered to them."
Innovation: Biotechnology
Byrne recognised that biotechnology had the potential to offer huge
possibilities for future innovation in terms of cheaper, safer and more
cost-effective production. The proposals presented by the Commission for
tracability and labelling of GM-food and GM-feed provide a sound and
balanced platform on which to build. "It is important that innovation in
the biotech field is not impeded by emotional reactions and apprehension
based on inadequate or biased information. There can however, be no question
of compromising safety public health or the environment", said Byrne.
However, Byrne went on to warn that there was no point talking about
innovation in the abstract if progress was not made on starting new GMO
authorisations and ending the so-called moratorium.
Innovation: Conservation of traditional foodstuffs
Byrne made also clear that he believed that while politicians look to future
innovation, European consumers at the same time are very sensitive to the
extraordinary fine and diverse European food culture and the important role
that traditional food plays. The recast of the European food hygiene
legislation provides some flexibility at national level to accommodate
traditional food enterprises, with the provision that food hygiene must not
be compromised. Moreover the mid-term review proposals make better provision
to financially support such enterproses.
Innovation: Animal welfare
The well being of animals is one of the most prominent public issues
affecting the development of European farming. According to Byrne, the
definition of quality now includes aspects such as the method of production
used, environmental and animal welfare considerations. Husbandry systems and
the breeding of animals in Europe must be further modernised to better
reflect the welfare needs of animals. Byrne said: "I know that some see
these developments as prohibitive by increasing production costs and argue
that these costs could place EU producers at a competitive disadvantage.
However, research has shown that significant welfare improvements can be
achieved at very low cost, and that a substantial part of these costs can be
recovered by the added value achieved by welfare-friendly products."
Innovation: enlargement no contradiction
The European Union is on the threshold of a historic enlargement which will
create a new, dynamic framework for the development of policy. Byrne expects
that the prospect of a market of over 420 million will encourage and act as
an impetus to further innovation. In the area of food safety the countries
that want to join the EU must make sure they have the same strict laws in
place as well as proper controls throughout the whole food chain on the
correct application of those laws. David Byrne said: " We will continue the
proactive approach we have taken both to helping the applicant countries
with their preparations and monitoring their progress. It is a matter of
personal importance to me to participate actively in the preparation
process. The remainder of 2002 and early 2003 is the key period for
transforming the commitments and good will of the Candidate Countries into
substantive action. I can give my assurance that both I myself and my
services will do our utmost to give our help and guidance."
The Commission will now shift the focus of effort to monitoring commitments
that have been made and the transposition and implementation of legislation.
The Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) plays an important role monitoring the
level of observance of food hygiene and of veterinary and plant health
legislation in the candidate countries. Inspection visits to applicant
countries have been a top priority for 2002. After a series of general
assessment missions to all candidate countries more detailed assessments
have started. Their objective is to monitor the progress the accession
countries make in implementing EU law. For 2002 they concentrate on 10 of
the candidate countries with 4-5 inspections each. This inspection programme
takes up 25% of the FVO resources.
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/0
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