Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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Commission Public Consultation, 23 January 2018
The Commission has launched a public consultation to gather information on issues linked to the operation of the General Food Law particularly with regard to the transparency of information linked to risk assessment. There is an on-line questionnaire which will be available until the 20 March 2018.
The following is the introduction provided by the Commission:
Objective of the consultation
The General Food Law Regulation (EU rules on food and feed safety along the production chain) is the cornerstone of the EU regulatory framework covering the entire food chain: 'from farm to fork'.
The law requires food and feed law to be science-based. This is known as the risk analysis principle, which consists of three separate but interrelated components: risk assessment (scientific advice), risk management (measures taken on the basis of scientific advice, other legitimate factors and where appropriate the precautionary principle) and risk communication (interactive exchange of information on risks throughout the risk analysis process).
For this purpose, the General Food Law Regulation established the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as an independent scientific agency to provide the scientific opinions (risk assessment) which form the basis for the measures taken by the EU in the food chain.
Since the adoption of the General Food Law Regulation in 2002, the political, economic and societal context has evolved, affecting consumers' perception and expectations in relation to the food chain.
Whilst EFSA's work in the area of risk assessment has not been subject to significant criticism, citizens have put into question the risk assessment based on studies provided by the industry and this in particular where the industry seeks an authorisation, e.g. for pesticides, GMOs etc.
We are keen to hear about your views and experiences on the following:
The consultation is also a follow-up to the commitments made by the Commission in reply to the European Citizens’ Initiative on glyphosate.
Your feedback will help us to look into how we can improve the current system and to address citizens' expectations about independence and transparency of the EU risk assessment system. This exercise will feed into a Commission's legislative proposal to be presented to the European Parliament and Council by May 2018.
The questionnaire can be accessed from the consultation page: https://ec.europa.eu/info/consultations/public-consultation-transparency-and-sustainability-eu-risk-assessment-food-chain_en. Links to related documents are available at the bottom of that page.
