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On 16 July 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
– 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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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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New Tool in the Global Fight against Rabies
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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EU Veterinary Week 2010
This year's EU Veterinary Week will run from 14 to 20 June. The theme will be identification and traceability along the food chain.
The week will be launched in Brussels by a two-day conference focussing on the link between identification and traceability for veterinary purposes and the
numerous additional benefits along the food chain. It is expected to attract over 400 participants including Chief Veterinary Officers from Member States as well as
representatives of third countries, international organisations, EU veterinary faculties, stakeholder organisations and journalists.
Click here to see the full programme.
If you want to register to the conference send us an email to SANCO-ONE-HEALTH@ec.europa.eu.
There will also be a number of events taking place in Member States, where information on identification and traceability will be distributed, together with EU veterinary diaries for the academic year 2010-2011.
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GM Food & Feed - Comments from the Public
A new EFSA opinion on genetically modified cotton for food and feed uses has been published on the 15 June 2010. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, the public may make comments on the opinion during 1 month.
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GM Food & Feed - Comments from the Public
A new EFSA opinion on genetically modified maize for food and feed uses has been published on the 15 June 2010. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, the public may make comments on the opinion during 1 month.
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Info-Day on Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF), 07 June 2010
In view of the launch of new calls for tenders, the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers is organising an INFODAY in Brussels on 7 June.
All relevant information and access to links for registration are available at the following web address: www.btsf.eu or http://ec.europa.eu/eahc/food/index.html.
Direct link to the registration platform provided by the contractor is http://info-day-on-btsf.evenium.com.
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The Commisssion and the Mediterranean Member States discussed control and eradication of red palm weevil
A strategy to control and eradicate the red palm weevil, an insect which attacks palm trees, was discussed by experts from all affected Member States and the Commission during a conference in Valencia, Spain on 5 and 6 May 2010.
To learn more click here.
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Two new EFSA opinions on genetically modified maize for food and feed uses have been published on the 18 May 2010.
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.
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The Directorate General for Health and Consumers will hold a Roundtable on the Revision of Meat Inspection on Tuesday, 18 May 2010.
The meeting is a first exchange of views with all relevant parties (Member States, private stakeholders, third countries, CODEX Alimentarius)
on the future of meat inspection and will be followed by additional working group meetings. This first meeting is intended to provide a state of
play on current practical experiences, including new challenges encountered, and relevant background information.
The conference will start at 10 a.m. To follow the conference on 18 May by web streaming please click here.
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GMOs: Commission authorises cultivation of Amflora
On March 2, the European Commission adopted two decisions concerning the Genetically Modified Amflora potato: the first authorises the cultivation of Amflora in the EU for industrial use, and the second relates to the use of Amflora's starch by-products as feed. The European Commission also adopted today three decisions on the placing on the market of three GM maize products for food and feed uses but not for cultivation. All five authorisations were subjected to the highest scrutiny, ensuring all concerns regarding the presence of an antibiotic resistance marker gene are fully addressed.
Press Release
Questions & Answers
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Antimicrobial resistance
The European Commission adopted a staff working paper 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
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Evaluation of the EU legislation on GM food and feed
A survey of stakeholders has been underway as part of this evaluation. Although the deadline
for taking part in this survey has expired, any stakeholders who would like to contribute, but
have not yet done so, can request a link to the survey from the Food Chain Evaluation Consortium
using this email address: gm@civic-consulting.de. Please note that only responses received before
the end of Friday 13 November will be taken into account.
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