91999E0009

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0009/99

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 January 1999)

Subject: Food safety

In the light of the findings of the Eurobarometer survey commissioned by DG XXIV on consumers' food safety perceptions, what measures is the Commission considering to overcome the growing confidence gap between consumer and producer?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(4 March 1999)

Confidence between producers and consumers primarily depends on the safety and quality of the products offered by the former to the latter.

The Commission, under several different aspects of its work, is pursuing a policy aimed at re-establishing the necessary confidence between producers and consumers.

Concerning food safety, it has reinforced its monitoring activities. The rigorous assessments carried out by the eight independent scientific committees which the Commission has established, together with the openness of the committees' work, are also helping to boost consumer confidence.

The Commission is striving to promote a policy of quality at the production stage, placing a premium on products with specific characteristics associated with the production method (organic farming, traditional specialities) or their geographic origin (designated origin, geographical indication).

As regards consumer information, at the end of 1998 the Commission, in conjunction with the Member States, launched a food safety campaign including a series of educational measures referring to the role that consumers themselves can play in order to ensure their safety, i.e. by using and storing food correctly.

A further objective of this campaign is to encourage discussion among the parties involved (agricultural producers, industries, distribution, consumers) on the question of food safety.