The new European Health and Animal Safety Commissioner has promised to improve areas related to food safety standards.
Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Safety, said that he wants to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of food safety standards, including for imported foods.
“Food safety standards are a trademark of Europe. They ensure that EU citizens have access to nutritious, safe and high -quality food products. My priority is to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of these leading rules during the coming mandate, “he said.
Várhelyi, who took over from Stella Kyriakides, European Health and Food Safety Commissioner, is the first EU commissioner with animal welfare mentioned in the title.
“I am fully aware of the calls of our citizens that we are doing more about this subject. I will be aimed at finding solutions that respond to the expectations of citizens, and that are also economically and financially viable for farmers. It is my strong conviction that Europe has to embrace our farmers to produce enough food and to guarantee our high -quality local products that are deeply rooted in our culture. “
Várhelyi has worked on files with regard to DG Sante’s portfolio, such as medical products, pesticides and GGOs.
On pesticides, Várhelyi, a Hungarian lawyer and diplomat, said that he was aware that they are an essential part of the toolbox for farmers to protect crops, but he also wants to increase the availability of viable alternatives to use chemical pesticides reduce.
“In this respect, I want to carefully consider the availability of alternatives in the context of the decision -making process on the renewal of approval of pesticides,” he said.
In the meantime, the European Union has updated an agreement with Mexico. The EU is the second export market of Mexico and the third largest trading partner.
The EU committee said that the agreement will not change the standards for food and agricultural products. All imports from Mexico must meet the EU rules for animal health and plants, as well as food safety and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The parties will also work closer together in areas related to Codex Alimentarius – the food standards created by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO).
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