DG SANCO has established a new Advisory Group on the food chain. The new group will bring together key stakeholders including farmers, the food industry, retailers, consumer organisations and others to advise the European Commission on food safety policy. It will meet at least twice a year and consist of up to 45 members from EU-level associations. Reflecting the Commission’s "farm to fork" approach to food safety, the group will be consulted on matters ranging from policy on pesticides through to food labelling laws.
Interested pan-European organisations must apply to participate by 30 September 2004.
On 20 July 2004 DG SANCO organised a Roundtable meeting on different approaches to tackle obesity.
Health Commissioner David Byrne has welcomed the WHO/FAO strategy on diet, physical exercise and health as a call to arms. He highlighted that unhealthy, unbalanced diets and sedentary lifestyles are creating a time bomb for the future. Commission press release on the WHO/FAO strategy.
Commissioner Byrne’s speech on the role of diet: how to inform consumers.
A new European network Alimenterra brings has been established by European organisations committed to developing practical and co-operative actions leading to the creation of a truly sustainable european food system.
The founding organisations come from France, Italy; the Netherlands; Spain and the UK and cover all the food chain from farmers? unions and development organisations to NGOs, local food initiatives and organic support bodies.
The Spring 2004 issue of EUROHEALTH magazine addresses the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from a public health perspective. Articles also highlight European fruit and vegetable sector reform, rural development and food policy in Europe and health impact assessment of implementing CAP in Slovenia.
