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Two new EFSA overall opinions on genetically modified cotton for food and feed uses have been published on 28 March 2012. (http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/gmo_authorisation_en.htm)
These overall opinions are related to two applications:
for the authorisation of food and feed produced from GM cotton (cottonseed oil) and for a renewal of authorization of food additives, feed materials and feed additives produced
from this cotton. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed,
the public may make comments on this opinion during 1 month. (/food/food/biotechnology/gmo_authorisation_en.htm)
Read more (http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/gmo_authorisation_en.htm)
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Read more (http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/gmo_authorisation_en.htm) |
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Improved transport conditions for animals but still not ideal (http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/transport/index_en.htm)
A Commission report published today concludes that the protection of animals during transport has improved since the relevant regulation entered into force on 1 January 2007. It highlights the problems hampering improvements in animal transport conditions. The Commission envisages a number of measures to improve enforcement of current rules and increase animal welfare during transport.
Read more (http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/transport/index_en.htm)
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Read more (http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/transport/index_en.htm) |
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European Commission launches new website on the non-food Scientific Committees (http://www.ec-scientific-committees.eu/)
On 28 October 2011, the European Consumer Centres Network publish their report "Air Passengers Rights Report 2011 – in the aftermath of the Volcanic Ash Crisis", highlighting problems that passengers in the EU experienced in 2010 and still do today i.e. cancelled flights and lost luggage. The report examines the help available to passengers in those circumstances.
Read more (http://www.ec-scientific-committees.eu/)
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Read more (http://www.ec-scientific-committees.eu/) |
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European Conference on EU Plant Variety Rights in the 21st Century
A Conference on EU Plant Variety Rights in the 21st Century will be held in Brussels on 11 October 2011.
The conference will communicate and discuss the results of the evaluation of the Community Plant Variety Rights legislation and will consider the way forward. The aim is to gain a clear view on the position of the various stakeholder groups with regard to the recommendations made in the evaluation report.
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Read more (/food/plant/cpvr_2011/index_en.htm) |
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On 30 March 2011 the Commission adopted a modification of the structure of its Directorate General for Health & Consumers.
The new organigramme (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/chart_16052011_en.pdf) will come into effect on 16 May 2011.
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Read more (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/chart_16052011_en.pdf) |
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"Disappointing outcome" on novel food
On March 29, Commissioner Dalli announced that the institutions failed to agree on the revision of the Novel Food Regulation.
Expressing his disappointment, he said that he will assess the next steps for the novel food Regulation and the follow-up to the
Commission report on Cloning in food production.
Read John Dalli's statement (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/202).
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Read more (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/202) |
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EU reinforces controls on Japanese food imports
On March 24, the EU decided to reinforce controls on imported food and feed from certain regions of Japan after the accident
at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. EU countries backed a Commission proposal on special import conditions.
The measures cover all feed and food originating in or consigned from 12 prefectures of Japan.
Products must be tested before leaving Japan and will be randomly tested in the EU.
See the press release (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/362).
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Read more (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/362) |
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Selection procedure for temporary staff in the field of food safety
The Directorate General Health & Consumers is organising a selection for temporary staff (AD8) in the field of food safety (audit, inspection and evaluation):
COM-TA-SANCO-11-AD8
Date of publication: 28 March 2011
Deadline for on-line applications: 12 noon, 28 April 2011 (Brussels time).
For details:
http://europa.eu/epso/apply/today/temporary_en.htm (http://europa.eu/epso/apply/today/temporary_en.htm)
Read more (http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/recrutement/index_en.htm)
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Read more (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/8amp;&format=HTMLamp;&aged=0amp;&language=ENamp;&guiLanguage=en) |
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Statement by Commissioner Dalli on dioxin incident in Germany
"The proper management of the dioxin incident in Germany is of utmost importance for the Commission and must be pursued with urgency and effectiveness.
I have contacted this afternoon Mrs Ilse Aigner, German Federal minister for Food, Agriculture & Consumer Protection and was given the latest state of play of the situation. My services and the German authorities are in permanent contact and the level of cooperation is very good. The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed as well as the traceability mechanisms in place at EU level have shown their effectiveness.
In the coming weeks, I will explore with our EU partners and stakeholders ways to further strengthen our monitoring processes of dioxin in feed."
For further information please see MEMO/11/8 (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/8&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
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Read more (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/8amp;&format=HTMLamp;&aged=0amp;&language=ENamp;&guiLanguage=en) |
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Commission adopts measures after FMD case in Bulgaria
The European Commission adopted urgent protection measures after a wild boar, which was shot by hunters at the end of 2010 in Bulgaria, tested positive to Food and Mouth Disease (FMD). The Commission's decision, adopted on January 6 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20110107_fmd_case_bulgaria.pdf) , aims to reinforce control measures for FMD already taken by the competent Bulgarian authorities.
Please click here (http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/fmd_en.htm) for more information.
Press release (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/15&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
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Read more (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20110107_fmd_case_bulgaria.pdf) |
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A Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the future necessity and use of mechanically separated meat in the EU including the information policy towards consumers, was adopted on 2 december 2010
Download the report (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_en.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_bg.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_cs.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_da.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_de.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_et.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_el.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_es.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_fr.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_it.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_lv.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_lt.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_hu.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_mt.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_nl.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_pl.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_pt.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_ro.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_sk.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_sl.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_fi.pdf)
 (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_sv.pdf)
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Read more (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/msm_report_20101202_en.pdf) |
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Commission in favour of temporary suspension of animal cloning for food production in the EU
On October 19 the European Commission adopted its report to the European Parliament and the Council on animal cloning for food production. Based on this report, the Commission will propose a temporary suspension of animal cloning for food production in the EU. The report notes that -along with the temporary suspension of the technique- the Commission also plans to suspend temporarily the use of cloned farm animals and the marketing of food from clones. All temporary measures will be reviewed after five years. Finally, the report foresees the establishment of a traceability system to follow imports of semen and embryos of clones.
Download the report (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_en.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_bg.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_cs.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_da.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_de.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_et.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_el.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_es.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_fr.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_it.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_lv.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_lt.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_hu.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_mt.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_nl.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_pl.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_pt.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_ro.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_sk.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_sl.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_fi.pdf)
(/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_sv.pdf)
Read the Press Release (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_ip_ec_cloning_en.pdf)
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Read more (/dgs/health_consumer/docs/20101019_report_ec_cloning_en.pdf) |
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On 16 July 2010 the Commission adopted a Communication to the European Parliament and the Council, which outlines areas where future possible changes to EU TSE-related measures could be made. The document –"
The TSE Road Map 2 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_en.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_cs.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_da.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_de.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_el.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_es.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_et.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_fi.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_fr.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_hu.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_it.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_lt.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_lv.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_mt.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_nl.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_pl.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_pt.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_sk.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_sl.pdf)
 (/food/food/biosafety/tse_bse/docs/roadmap_2_sv.pdf)
– A strategy paper on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies for 2010-2015" – underlines that any amendment should maintain the EU's high level of protection of human and animal health and of food safety and should be backed by solid science. The Road Map is a reflection paper that opens up dialogue on the issue.
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Read more (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/957&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en) |
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EU's new approach on GMO cultivation
On July 13 2010, the Commission adopted a comprehensive proposal that provides this freedom to the Member States. The EU's existing science-based authorisation system remains unaffected. The proposal also provides for non-binding guidelines that better reflect the possibilities already available to the Member States to adopt measures in order to avoid the unintended presence of GMOs in conventional and organic crops. In a nutshell, the comprehensive proposal represent the Commission's new flexible approach on GMO cultivation, which takes into consideration Member States desires, but also retains the basis of solid science for any GMO authorisation.
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Read more (/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm) |
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New Tool in the Global Fight against Rabies (/food/animal/rabies_blue_print_en.htm)
Blueprint for Rabies Prevention and Control
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of warm blooded animals, including humans. The disease has a long incubation period (six months) and symptoms may take several weeks to appear after infection. Once symptoms do appear, rabies tends to be fatal. Rabies is regarded as one of the most important zoonotic diseases in the world. Despite being entirely preventable, it still kills more than 55,000 people and millions of animals around the world each year. About 95% of human deaths occur in Asia and Africa. Most human deaths follow a bite from an infected dog.
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Read more (/food/animal/rabies_blue_print_en.htm) |
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Antimicrobial resistance
The European Commission adopted a staff working paper (/food/food/biosafety/salmonella/antimicrobial_resistance.pdf) that aims to be the basis of discussion on the ways
to better tackle the growing health problem of anti-microbial resistance (AMR). The document concludes that, although progress has been made, further actions are needed to improve the assessment and management of AMR.
Press Release (http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1732&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
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Read more (/food/food/biosafety/salmonella/index_en.htm) |
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