Question:
132 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the rapid alert system in place in the event of a major food safety scare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12286/00]
Written Answers. - Food Safety.
The basis for the rapid alert system is article 8 of Council Directive 92/59/EEC on General Product Safety which replaced Council Decision 89/45/EEC on a community system for the rapid exchange on dangers arising from the use of consumer products.
The rapid alert system for food deals with all products which can be regarded as food, or which are destined to come into contact with food, and which are placed, or intended to be placed, on the retail market. The White Paper on Food Safety, published by the European Commission in January 2000, proposes to extend the rapid alert system to cover all animal feed and food emergencies which may arise at all levels in the food chain, including animal feed manufacturers and food manufacturers-operators, with harmonised requirements and procedures.
Notifications from member states, the EFTA Surveillance Authority, ESA, Third Countries, Commission services and/or other sources are received by the European Commission, which in turn forwards them to the contact points in the member states.
In December 1999, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland assumed responsibility from my Department as the contact point in Ireland for the rapid alert system for food.