EU authorities urged to take global viewpoint
Date:05-08-2008
European industry groups have urged EU regulators to take greater account of the needs and views of companies and non-EU countries when making policy decisions. The groups were commenting on a paper outlining future challenges for the European Commission's Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General between 2009 and 2014. The Directorate is responsible for registering pesticides and genetically modified crops.
The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) calls for a closer liaison among companies, the Commission and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). There is a need to ensure clearer communication of what will be required from companies in the future regulation of products, the ECPA says. Businesses need this information to make timely investment decisions to meet the evolving EU standards, it points out. The European grain trade association, the COCERAL, expresses concern about the paper's lack of reference to the importance of science in decision making and the link with the EFSA. The COCERAL "would have liked to see some reference to the importance of depoliticising scientific decision making and the close link to research that underpins credible communications," it says.
The European biotechnology industry association, EuropaBio, calls on the Health Directorate to view the industry as a "solid partner" that is "part of the solution", rather than "as part of a problem". While the COCERAL acknowledges the role of the Directorate in protecting consumers, it also calls for some recognition that ensuring industry viability is a necessary factor in protecting consumers.
EuropaBio welcomes the paper but feels that it "paints a rosier picture than what is in fact the reality for life science and biotechnology companies in Europe". It notes that the paper mentions the opportunity for European leadership in regulatory issues and the advantages of exporting European standards to the rest of world. "This leadership, however, does not apply when it comes to GMO approvals," EuropaBio says.
The industry associations highlight the paper's assertions that increasing globalisation and international co-operation are key aspects for the future, but suggest that this does not match the current approach taken by EU regulators. EuropaBio and the COCERAL stress the need for greater collaboration with international partners and further harmonisation of the EU approval system on a global scale. In particular, they emphasise the areas of risk assessment procedures, faster approvals, and a focus on mutual recognition.
All associations call for clearer communication on risks to consumers and a shift towards providing information on the benefits as well as the risks of products. The Directorate needs to "tackle the issue of risk management and communication around ever increasing capabilities to detect ever smaller amounts of substances", the COCERAL says.
The Commission will use the consultation to finalise its future strategy and develop projects on: consumer behaviour; sustainability and new production and consumption patterns; EU health policy priorities; and data collection and processing.
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