Doc. 9079
4 May 2001

Improving food security in Europe

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Siegfried Hornung and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

      The BSE crisis and the foot and mouth disease epidemic are current examples of how vulnerable the security of humans and animals as well as of food and its production chains is. As such, we need a significant improvement in consumer protection in the food sector in Europe.

      The objective of the European People's Party is to guarantee safe and wholesome food for all consumers. We want this for those who are able to buy regional farm produce locally in rural areas, for those who live in big cities and are dependent on shopping in supermarkets, as well as for those persons who often have to eat in cafeterias or restaurants.

      The BSE crisis has made it clear that there are gaps in consumer protection in the food sector in many Council of Europe member countries. It should be noted that food security needs to be developed further, both from the standpoint of legislation, as well as from the standpoint of court decisions in Europe. More than anything, gaps have become evident in the control systems of many countries.

      At the European Union level, the regulations of the European Parliament and the Council, defining the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing a European food authority, and defining procedures for food security will lay a forward-looking foundation for complete and coherent food legislation as well as creating a comprehensive and uniform policy concept for food security. The general principles and requirements of food law, the establishment of a European food authority, and the procedures for food security need to be laid down in one single legislative text.

      In accordance with this example, a food security policy in Europe must be based on a comprehensive and uniform policy concept as well as be coherent, effective and dynamic. In this connection a German definition of what needs to be understood by food security is very much to the point. All partners in the food chain must be included in this policy, including the producers of farm supplies (eg seed, fertiliser, plants, feed) as well as the players further down the line, on down to consumers (and retailers). All the players involved must assume responsibility for food, ie farmers, feed producers, food-processing companies, retailers, consumers, national government authorities, as well as international organisations.

      From this standpoint the following will be absolutely necessary to ensure comprehensive food security in Europe:

a. the formulation of a European Convention on food security in which food safety and quality requirements in the chain extending from producers to consumers as well as the extent and intensity of controls will be laid down;

b. the establishment of a scientific advisory council at the Council of Europe which will deal in particular with questions of food security and animal protection in food production, as well as with questions regarding sustainable plant production, and which will provide the results of this activity as a basis for further food security policy of the European Assembly;

c. an appeal to governments of the Council of Europe member countries to advocate codification of the high standards of the European Union in the areas of health, animal and environmental protection in the ongoing WTO negotiations; and

d. an appeal to the governments of the Council of Europe member countries to continue to develop an agricultural policy at the European and national levels that will hold out prospects for an agricultural sector based primarily on family farms and provide consumers with wholesome and high-quality food.

Signed : ¹

Hornung, Germany, EPP/CD

Fehr, Switzerland, LDR

Gatterer, Austria, EPP/CD

Hornhues, Germany, EPP/CD

Korkeaoja, Finland, LDR

Maass, Germany, EPP/CD

Martinez Casan, Spain, EPP/CD

Mikaelsson, Sweden, UEL

Pinggera, Italy, EPP/CD

Robol, Italy, EPP/CD

Siebert, Germany, EPP/CD

Stankevic, Lithuania, LDR

Szinyei, Hungary, EPP/CD

Taylor, United Kingdom, EPP/CD

Wohlwend, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD

Zierer, Germany, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group