Written by Tarja Laaninen (1st edition),
© Viacheslav Iakobchuk / Fotolia
On 11 April 2018, the European Commission published a proposal to review the General Food Law Regulation and amend eight legislative acts dealing with specific food chain sectors: GMOs, feed additives, smoke flavourings, food contact materials, food additives, food enzymes and flavourings, plant protection products and novel foods. The proposal follows-up on the European Citizens’ Initiative on glyphosate; and especially on concerns regarding the transparency of the scientific studies used in the evaluation of pesticides. The proposal also responds to a fitness check of the General Food Law, completed in January 2018. The proposal’s objective is to increase the transparency and sustainability of the EU scientific assessment model, and other aspects such as governance of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In the European Parliament, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) adopted its report on 27 November 2018 by 43 votes in favour, 16 against, with one abstention. A vote in plenary to finalise Parliament’s position is expected to take place in December.
Pavel Poc (S&D, Czech Republic)
Arne Gericke (ECR, Germany)
Fredrick Federley (ALDE, Sweden)
Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL, the Netherlands)
Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, Germany)
Piernicola Pedicini (EFDD, Italy)
Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’)
Next steps expected:
First-reading vote in plenary