In the wake of the BSE crisis, and of mounting concerns over food standards, MEPs this month called for radical improvements to EU Food Safety laws. Parliament wants to see the promotion of healthy eating and better labelling. When there are food scares, those responsible should be made to pay through the extension of product liability law to farm products. The lesson of the BSE crisis, said Veronica Hardstaff (UK, PES) was that there should be a totally new approach to food quality, with closer monitoring of intensive farming practices, including pesticides and conditions at abattoirs. The use of antibiotics in animals should also be strictly regulated. MEPs were also critical of the Commission for dragging its feet in putting into effect new legislation providing for labelling of genetically modified foods. But securing an agreement acceptable to governments and the industry will not be easy, said Commissioner Bangemann, as there were differences of opinion on the definition of food safety. He also said EU law had to be compatible with international obligations.
The House also voted to strengthen a piece of legislation designed to make it easier for consumers to obtain satisfaction in the event of disputes over purchases made in another EU country. MEPs want to see the introduction of single easy mechanisms for dealing with complaints with, for example, companies operating across Europe providing a contact address in each country. MEPs want an appropriate form of redress geared to the product either in the form of a refund or a fast and efficient repair.