Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-06-12-Speech-2-100"
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"en.20010612.6.2-100"2
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"I voted in favour of this report.
In principle, I am not in favour of the creation of an agency. Just lately, there has been a proliferation of these new agencies: a European Maritime Safety Agency, a European Aviation Safety Agency etc. A new Community bureaucracy is being created, and I deplore it. However, certain circumstances may lead us to consider whether we need to create a special authority, and this is the case here.
The existence of this report is in fact the result of a sad admission – that the European Commission has shown itself to be incapable of reacting effectively to various food crises.
In order to make up for the shortcomings of the Commission, therefore, to respond to consumers’ and farmers’ expectations and to restore their confidence, the setting up of a special authority for food safety may be an effective alternative.
There are two essential principles that should guide the actions of the Food Authority: it is essential to give it a clear mission, and to make a distinction between what can be classified as scientific responsibility on the one hand, and what can be classified as political responsibility on the other. The authority must focus on identifying and assessing risks, coordinating its activities with those of the national agencies and supplying all the information that is needed. Under no circumstances can the Food Authority have the task of managing the rapid alert system. That is an instrument for the consumer’s use, and the decision on the measures to be taken belongs entirely and exclusively in the political sphere.
Finally, on the question of where this authority should be situated, I voted in favour of Amendment No 188 in its entirety. France is one of the great founding countries of the Union. It should demonstrate to its partners its commitment to Europe by transposing the European directives into its national legislation as quickly as possible. So far, however, my country has remained one of the worst offenders in this respect.
By voting as I have done, I simply wish to send a strong signal to political leaders in France, to tell them that this situation must be remedied. That is how France will enhance its prestige and its voice will carry greater weight during the forthcoming negotiations."@en1
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