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Nicholson Puts Concerns of Agriculture Committee to Commissioner Designate for Health and Consumers

Speaking during the hearing of Commissioner Designate for Health and Consumers, John Dalli, Conservative and Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson represented the concerns of the Agriculture committee. Mr Nicholson raised the issues of imports of meat from third countries, licensing of GMOs present in animal feed and the recent introduction of mandatory electronic sheep tagging.

Mr Nicholson put the following questions to the Commissioner,

"Europe is a major importer of food from around the world and food produced in Europe by European farmers respects the highest food safety standards laid down in Brussels. We also have the highest animal welfare standards. What is your view on ensuring that food entering the European food chain is produced to the same high standard?

"Where do you stand on GMO imports to the EU and the need for more efficient licensing in order to tackle the high cost of feed"

"Will you be prepared to look again at the iniquitous implementation of electronic sheep tagging which does nothing to improve or control the spread of disease"

Mr Dalli's response was to defend the introduction of EID stating that various countries had already introduced the system and that it was absolutely necessary in the fight against the spread of disease. Mr Dalli also maintained that imports of food into the EU did meet the standards set by it.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Nicholson commented, "Mr Dalli did not impress me much. He did not answer all the questions put to him in a direct fashion and he was especially vague on the implementation of sheep EID. We should be prepared to encounter problems with Mr Dalli with regards to his attitude on these issues."

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