New EU commissioner lists food safety priorities

The new European commissioner for health and animal safety has promised to improve areas related to food safety standards.

Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Safety, said 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 world leading rules during the coming mandate,” he said.

Várhelyi, who took over from Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, is the first EU Commissioner with animal welfare listed in the title.

“I am fully aware of our citizens’ calls that we do more on this topic. I will be focused on finding solutions which respond to citizens’ expectations, and which are also economically and financially viable for farmers. It is my strong conviction that Europe must embrace our farmers to produce enough food and guarantee us high-quality local products that are deeply rooted in our culture.”

Várhelyi has worked on files related to DG Sante’s portfolio, such as medical products, pesticides, and GMOs.

On pesticides, Várhelyi, a Hungarian lawyer and diplomat, said he was aware 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 reduce the use of chemical pesticides.

“In this regard, I would like to carefully consider the availability of alternatives in the context of the decision-making process on the renewal of approval of pesticides,” he said.

Meanwhile, the European Union has updated an agreement with Mexico. The EU is Mexico’s second export market and its third biggest trading partner. 

The EU Commission said the agreement will not change standards for food and agricultural products. All imports from Mexico must meet EU rules on animal and plant health 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 setting body created by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO).

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