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JOINT COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD debate -
Tuesday, 15 Apr 2003

Vol. 1 No. 11

Scrutiny of EU Proposals.

No. 4 refers to the scrutiny of EU documents. The Clerk to the committee has circulated a number of documents for consideration. The first item is the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed. This document was referred to the committee principally because of the degree of public interest in this area. It should be noted that while political agreement was reached on the proposal at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 28 November 2002, the proposal goes back to the European Parliament for a second reading. A final decision is not expected for some time and it is not on the Council agenda drawn up by the Greek Government for the first six months of 2003. As members have no comments at this stage, I suggest that further scrutiny of the proposal be deferred until the matter has been placed on the agenda for the European Council. The committee will be made aware when this occurs. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The second document for consideration is the regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the economic accounts for agriculture in the Community. The proposed regulation concerns the gathering of agriculture statistics across the EU which up to now have been compiled on a voluntary basis. This would impact on Ireland in that the proposed deadline for receipt of information - the end of November - is a week or so earlier than when the information is furnished by Ireland. However, as this does not have major implications for Ireland and in the light of the advancement of technology, I suggest the committee agrees to the proposal? Is that agreed? Agreed.

The next issue is the amended proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the hygiene of foodstuffs. A further issue is an amended proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin. As members will note from the documents circulated, a number of Departments and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland are also involved in these proposals. Members will be aware that these two further proposed regulations are part of the consolidation of all the current directives. It is suggested that the committee agrees to the two proposals which are primarily aimed at placing primary responsibility for food safety on food business operators. Do members agree that no further scrutiny is required because of the importance of food safety? Agreed.

A date for consideration of the Estimates by the select committee is being arranged and is likely to be next month. The Clerk will advise members of the date as soon as possible.

The joint committee adjourned at 4.15 p.m. sine die.
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