WRITTEN QUESTION E-1162/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority.
20. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 53 E/89 (2001/C 53 E/118) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1162/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (12 April 2000) Subject: White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority The White Paper on Food Safety (COM(1999) 719 final) was published in January 2000. Chapter 4 is concerned with establishing a European Food Authority (EFA). Chapter 5 considers legislation on food safety. Some consumers want to know where their food comes from (section 103). Little is known about the costs of systems guaranteeing this or about the practical possibilities. 1. Will the Commission propose labelling identical ingredients derived from GMOs? If not, why does the Commission not think it necessary to include on labels identical ingredients derived from GMOs in view of their árelationshipí to GMOs and in view of consumersí right to be informed? If so, in what way will the Commission make this a legal obligation? 2. What labelling does the Commission want for additives and flavourings produced by GMOs in addition to the labelling rules for such substances which were adopted in January 2000? Joint answer to Written Questions E-1122/00, E-1127/00, E-1128/00, E-1140/00, E-1141/00, E-1142/00, E-1143/00, E-1144/00, E-1145/00, E-1146/00, E-1147/00, E-1148/00, E-1150/00, E-1151/00, E-1152/00, E-1153/00, E-1155/00, E-1156/00, E-1157/00, E-1158/00, E-1160/00, E-1161/00 and E-1162/00 given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (9 June 2000) The issues raised by the Honourable Member are being studied with a view to bringing forward proposals for legislation according to the time scale set out in the white paper on food safety. It would be inappropriate at this stage to anticipate the details of each proposal. (2001/C 53 E/119) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1149/00 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (11 April 2000) Subject: White Paper on Food Safety and the European Food Authority The White Paper on Food Safety (COM(1999) 719 final) was published in January 2000. Chapter 4 is concerned with establishing a European Food Authority (EFA). Chapter 5 considers legislation on food safety. Is there a scenario at EU level with measures in the event of a nuclear accident occurring in or in the vicinity of the EU? If so, what is the main thrust of these measures? If not, will the Commission draw up an action programme for nuclear accidents? Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission (14 June 2000) Food of animal and vegetable origin carries inherent risks of microbiological and chemical contamination, including radioactivity. The White Paper on Food Safety (1) confirms how important it is to adopt a proactive attitude to all types of contamination and to continue close monitoring of the situation following the Chernobyl nuclear accident