~1~
European Parliament: MEP’s Questions & Answers
(July - August 2016*)
* Non-exhaustive list of MEP’s Questions & Answers compiled by Luis González Vaqué
() taking into account their relationship with food law, without any political
or party preference.
• 31 August 2016 - Nuno Melo – [E-006598-16] - Subject: Use of
antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry:
In view of the increasing use of antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry, could
the Commission say:
How does it view the use of such antibiotics from the point of view of food safety
for EU consumers?
Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission
(2 September 2016):
«The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that the use of
antibiotics as growth promoters is prohibited1 in the European Union since 1
January 2006.».
• 2 August 2016 - Daniel Buda – [E-006201-16] - Subject: Increase
in food prices — a cause for concern:
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has published a
food price index which shows that in June the price of food worldwide increased
by more than at any time in the past four years, mainly as a result of increasing
sugar prices.
1
Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on
additives for use in animal nutrition, art. 5(4). OJ L 268, 18.10.2003.
, ~2~
It is no secret that Brazil is experiencing difficulties in harvesting its sugar cane
owing to adverse weather conditions, which have also caused a decrease in the
amount of sugar that can be extracted from the cane.
Measures need to be taken to stabilise escalating prices and ensure that the
world food market does not seize up in the coming months.
Only one market segment has managed to avoid these price increases — that of
vegetable oils — which recorded a 0.8% fall in prices. On the other hand, cereal
prices increased by 2.9% from May. The price of dairy products rose by 7.8%,
while meat and meat product prices went up 2.4%.
In view of this:
What instruments does the Commission have at its disposal to stabilise prices
and prevent the food market from seizing up?
Answer given by Mr Hogan on behalf of the Commission (23 September
2016):
«One of the core objectives of the common agricultural policy is to provide
farmers with a stable income buffer via direct support and with a flexible market
safety net. The latter does not aim at regulating the price formation of the world
food markets.
The FAO2 food price index has interrupted its upward path in July 2016 and fell
by 0.8%.».
• 2 August 2016 - Daniel Buda – [E-006200-16] - Subject: Problem
of unmarked eggs from other EU Member States entering
Romania:
According to statements issued two days ago by the Romanian National Sanitary,
Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (Ansvsa), egg shipments of unknown origin
— i.e. not bearing a producer's stamp — have been entering Romania from
elsewhere in the European Union.
This poses a very real problem for the Romanian authorities, particularly since
their own rules in this regard are very strict, producers being required to stamp
each egg with the day, date and time it was collected.
Ansvsa also indicates that, on entering Romania the unmarked eggs are
subsequently stamped, for example while in interim storage, before being placed
on the market, with adverse effects in terms of public health.
2
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
European Parliament: MEP’s Questions & Answers
(July - August 2016*)
* Non-exhaustive list of MEP’s Questions & Answers compiled by Luis González Vaqué
() taking into account their relationship with food law, without any political
or party preference.
• 31 August 2016 - Nuno Melo – [E-006598-16] - Subject: Use of
antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry:
In view of the increasing use of antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry, could
the Commission say:
How does it view the use of such antibiotics from the point of view of food safety
for EU consumers?
Answer given by Mr Andriukaitis on behalf of the Commission
(2 September 2016):
«The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that the use of
antibiotics as growth promoters is prohibited1 in the European Union since 1
January 2006.».
• 2 August 2016 - Daniel Buda – [E-006201-16] - Subject: Increase
in food prices — a cause for concern:
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has published a
food price index which shows that in June the price of food worldwide increased
by more than at any time in the past four years, mainly as a result of increasing
sugar prices.
1
Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on
additives for use in animal nutrition, art. 5(4). OJ L 268, 18.10.2003.
, ~2~
It is no secret that Brazil is experiencing difficulties in harvesting its sugar cane
owing to adverse weather conditions, which have also caused a decrease in the
amount of sugar that can be extracted from the cane.
Measures need to be taken to stabilise escalating prices and ensure that the
world food market does not seize up in the coming months.
Only one market segment has managed to avoid these price increases — that of
vegetable oils — which recorded a 0.8% fall in prices. On the other hand, cereal
prices increased by 2.9% from May. The price of dairy products rose by 7.8%,
while meat and meat product prices went up 2.4%.
In view of this:
What instruments does the Commission have at its disposal to stabilise prices
and prevent the food market from seizing up?
Answer given by Mr Hogan on behalf of the Commission (23 September
2016):
«One of the core objectives of the common agricultural policy is to provide
farmers with a stable income buffer via direct support and with a flexible market
safety net. The latter does not aim at regulating the price formation of the world
food markets.
The FAO2 food price index has interrupted its upward path in July 2016 and fell
by 0.8%.».
• 2 August 2016 - Daniel Buda – [E-006200-16] - Subject: Problem
of unmarked eggs from other EU Member States entering
Romania:
According to statements issued two days ago by the Romanian National Sanitary,
Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (Ansvsa), egg shipments of unknown origin
— i.e. not bearing a producer's stamp — have been entering Romania from
elsewhere in the European Union.
This poses a very real problem for the Romanian authorities, particularly since
their own rules in this regard are very strict, producers being required to stamp
each egg with the day, date and time it was collected.
Ansvsa also indicates that, on entering Romania the unmarked eggs are
subsequently stamped, for example while in interim storage, before being placed
on the market, with adverse effects in terms of public health.
2
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
