The first EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection David Byrne, has reviewed the achievements of his term in office, 1999-2004.
" Health and consumer protection policy is an area where citizens expect to see tangible benefits from the European Union. The safety of food and other products, protection of their health and their rights as consumers are topics that touch the every-day lives of citizens. I was acutely aware of this five years ago when I took up the post as the very first European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection. In the summer of 1999 ‘mad cow disease’ and various other food safety crises were frontpage news and causing widespread concern among consumers. Five years on I believe much has improved. I believe the Union has made progress in making its citizens healthier, safer and - as a consequence - more confident. "
David Byrne will be taking up a new post as WHO Special Envoy for the revision of the International Health Regulations.
Achievements in Public Health
Public Health Programme 2003-2008
Regulation to establish a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
Tobacco product directive
Tobacco advertising directive
Council recommendation on the prevention of smoking
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
‘Feel free to say no’ anti-smoking campaign
Establishment of EU Health Forum
Working paper on EU influenza pandemic preparedness and response plan
Increased cooperation against terrorism: Health Security Communication
Quality and safety of human blood directive
Quality and safety of human tissues and cells directive
Launch of a European Environment and Health Strategy
Strengthened cooperation with WHO
Recommendation on the drinking of alcohol by young people
Council conclusions on a Community strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm
Achievements in food safety
Enlargement without safeguard clauses
Establishment of EFSA
Management of BSE, Foot and Mouth Disease and Avian Influenza crisis
White Paper on Food Safety
Adoption of a European food law
Adoption of framework on GMOs
Legislation on animal-by-products including Meat and Bone Meal ban
Food and feed control framework legislation
New food hygiene legislation package
Feed hygiene
Legislation to label all allergenic ingredients
Legislation to improve labelling of meat and meat products
Prohibition of antibiotics as growth promoters in feed
New framework for pesticide management
New legislation on zoonoses
New rules for food imports into the EU by private passengers
Legislation on limits of dioxin food and feed
New law on Foot and Mouth Disease
Legislation on pig welfare
New rules for travelling with pets
