Lebensmittelüberwachung, Lebensmittelforschung, Food inspection, Food research

David Byrne

English

Research Papers in Economics

CESifo Forum 1/2002 41
Pro and Contra
PRO:F OOD LEGISLATION
MUST BE EFFECTIVE AND
EFFICIENT
DAVID BYRNE* 
To me, the fundamental question is not “Do we
need more or less legislation?” The key question
should be “Does it work?” The challenge is to put
in place legislation that the does the job effective-
ly and efficiently.
The European Commission has publicly stated its
commitment “to ensure that European consumers
have access to the safest possible food supply in
the world”.This is a firm statement of intent – a top
priority. To achieve this, a framework of appropri-
ate regulation and control is of paramount impor-
tance. We simply cannot hope to achieve our aims
without it.
Consumer confidence and the confidence of our
trading partners are vital to the success of the
European food industry both within the internal
market and in the global market place. A safe
European food chain from farm to fork, correctly
regulated and effectively controlled,is the way for-
ward towards building and maintaining confidence
in our food supply to the benefit of all our stake-
holders: producers, processors, retailers, exporters
and, most importantly, consumers.
A White Paper on Food Safety was adopted just
over two years ago and since then a significant
number of positive steps has been taken. A key
step was the adoption of a Regulation that lays
down the general principles and requirements of
food law, procedures in matters of food safety and
the establishment of the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA). This is a great leap forward –
the cornerstone of our strategy.
The system for the development of food law, both
scientific advice and the procedures for developing
legislative proposals, must be as transparent as
possible.We need to promote an open-minded dia-
logue and be able to demonstrate visible balance
between all stakeholders to ensure maximum
transparency of information on which proposals
for food safety legislation will be based.
The EFSA will provide this transparency. Its inde-
pendent scientific advice will provide the basis on
which the Commission will take risk management
decisions. The EFSA will be an authoritative body
of expertise covering all scientific matters, which
may have a direct or indirect effect on the safety of
the food supply, from primary production and ani-
mal feed through to the supply of food to con-
sumers.
We will propose legislation where it is prudent and
necessary to do so. But I would stress that I have
no desire to burden the food industry with regula-
tion upon regulation, or to propose legislation for
legislation’s sake. Nor do I have any wish to stifle
innovation. I have also placed particular emphasis
on the need to ensure that there are sufficient safe-
guards to facilitate the continued existence of the
wide range of smaller, traditional food production
processes and businesses within the European
Union.
My aim is simply to create a modern and flexible
system, with effective and open organisational
structures, capable of regulating and controlling a
highly complex, highly diverse and in many cases
highly technologically advanced food industry,
with the aim of guaranteeing the maintenance of
basic high standards. To promote quality, choice
and diversity, underpinned by relevant and effec-
tive safeguards.
If you want to comment on this topic or react to the opinion expressed here, please visit the CESifo
Internet Forum on our web site: www.cesifo.de
FOOD SAFETY THROUGH MORE
REGULATION?
* European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection.

Food safety through more regulation? (Pro and contra) ; pro - food legislation must be effective and efficient

http://www.cesifo-group.de/portal/page/portal/DocBase_Content/ZS/ZS-CESifo_Forum/zs-for-2002/zs-for-2002-1/Forum102-pc1.pdf

Food safety through more regulation? (Pro and contra) ; pro - food legislation must be effective and efficient

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