European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
food safety
European Parliament Plenary Session – April II 2019
Unsurprisingly, the agenda for this final plenary session of Parliament’s 2014-2019 term will deal with a range of issues that are emblematic of the major themes that have marked this eighth legislature. Continue reading
Farming without plant protection products
Food security and healthy food for 11 billion people by 2100 is one of the biggest challenges of this century. It is one of the most important, if not the most important, human rights, and any agricultural system has to fulfil this requirement within the planetary sustainability boundaries. Continue reading
Reconsidering the General Food Law [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 11 April 2018, the European Commission published a proposal to review the General Food Law Regulation and amend eight legislative acts dealing with specific food chain sectors: GMOs, feed additives, smoke flavourings, food contact materials, food additives, food enzymes and flavourings, plant protection products and novel foods. Continue reading
What if algorithms could abide by ethical principles? [Scientific and Technology Podcast]
Algorithms are step-by-step procedures for solving a problem, usually expressed in computer code as a set of instructions for a computer to follow in order to complete a task. Continue reading
Weight-loss dieters [What Europe does for you]
If you are one of the many among us who have already tried all sorts of diets while trying to lose weight, you don’t need anyone telling you ‘just eat less and exercise more’. As everyone knows, it’s much more complicated than that. Continue reading
What if gene editing became routine practice?
Gene-editing techniques are still relatively new, but are constantly multiplying, and they seem exciting in their promise, especially since a more precise version – CRISPR-Cas9 – has recently been used for the first time in a human trial. Continue reading
What if blockchain were to be truly decentralised? [Scientific and Technology Podcast]
Technological systems, once introduced in a particular socio-economic context, often evolve in unforeseen ways and may fall prey to unexpected power relations. Continue reading
Cooks and foodies [What Europe does for you]
As a cook or a ‘foodie’, you value products that are delicious, authentic and safe. Europeans enjoy a wide choice of top quality products, ranging from Greek olive oil, Spanish ham and Belgian chocolate, to Swedish herring Continue reading
Beekeepers [What Europe does for you]
With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for beekeepers. Continue reading
Novel food enthusiasts [What Europe does for you]
With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for novel food enthusiasts. Continue reading
Consumers of chocolate [What Europe does for you]
With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for people with consumers of chocolate. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Brussels, February II 2018
The session’s highlights included debates on the humanitarian situation in Syria, the outcome of the informal European Council, and activation of Article 7 (1) with regard to Poland. The European Commission also made statements on UN Human Rights Council sessions in 2018, the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, its former President Barroso’s lobbying activities, and removal of third countries from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Among the votes held, Parliament agreed to set up a new special committee on tax questions (TAXE 3) and elected a new vice-president. Continue reading
Parliament rejects criteria for endocrine disruptors
Endocrine disruptors, or endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), are substances that impact on the functioning of hormones, with potentially harmful effects on health. Continue reading
Resource efficiency: Reducing food waste, improving food safety [Plenary Podcast]
Written by Ivana Katsarova, As part of its action plan on the circular economy, the EU is aiming to give substance to a more efficient use of resources by reducing food waste and increasing food security. The European Parliament is due to vote in May 2017 on an own-initiative report proposing measures to cut the … Continue reading
EU animal welfare strategy, 2012-2015: State of play and possible next steps
Written by Beata Rojek-Podgórska, In recent decades, awareness of and concern for animal welfare have been constantly growing among citizens, businesses and policy-makers. Two Eurobarometer surveys – from 2006 and 2016 – revealed its increasing resonance with public opinion. The topic has been on the EU policy agenda for over 40 years, which has helped … Continue reading
Short food supply chains and local food systems in the EU
The current EU rural development policy 2014-2020 puts more emphasis than before on short food supply chains and defines them precisely for the first time. Producers wishing to involve themselves in local food systems can benefit from several measures co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Continue reading
Food Contact Materials – Regulation (EC) 1935/2004: European Implementation Assessment
Written by Ekaterina Karamfilova, Food contact materials (FCMs) are widely used in everyday life in the form of food packaging, kitchen utensils, tableware, etc. When put in contact with food, the different materials may behave differently and transfer their constituents to the food. Thus, if ingested in large quantities, FCM chemicals might endanger human health, … Continue reading
Consumer protection in the EU: Policy overview
Written by Jana Valant The final consumption expenditure of households currently accounts for 57% of EU gross domestic product. A single market that serves consumers well is therefore an important element to stimulating Europe’s economic growth. The Council Resolution of 14 April 1975 on a preliminary programme of the European Economic Community for a consumer … Continue reading
Updating rules on novel foods to keep up with scientific advances
Written by Tarja Laaninen To protect public health, new foods or food ingredients (‘novel foods’) require safety assessment and authorisation before they can be placed on the EU market. The current authorisation process covering novel foods is seen by the food industry as complex, expensive and time-consuming. In addition, stakeholders agree that updating the current … Continue reading
Organic Food
Written by Giulio Sabbati and Ivana Katsarova Organic production is an overall system of farm management and food production that aims at sustainable agriculture, high-quality products and the use of processes that do not harm the environment, human, plant or animal health and welfare. Globally, 43.1 million hectares of agricultural land was under organic production … Continue reading
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