The hearing of Commissioner Vassiliou was well attended by MEPs, industry and health NGO representatives, keen to hear her comments and priorities for the remainder of the term of this Commission [1] The Commissioner remained composed despite a grueling three-hour session with many difficult and controversial questions. The Commissioner addressed Members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, as well as Committees on Agriculture and on Employment and Social Affairs.
EPHA analysis of the hearing
Overall the Commissioner gave a positive impression of an individual committed to her portfolio, interested in the topics and well-prepared to answer the questions of the MEPs. Her answers were mixed for the public health community, and the differences in her understanding on various issues were noticeable. She is clearly new to the concept of cross-border healthcare and the Information to Patients proposal for example, but more familiar and confidently strong on the issue of tobacco. On alcohol, the Commissioner was mixed, with her focus being on the usual suspects of youth drinking and heavy drinkers although coupled with an overall commitment to tackle alcohol issues. The most positive aspects of her performance included a strong commitment to stand up for public health in the face of opposition within her own college. Her belief that her purpose is not to negotiate, but to defend public health is a welcome political message and EPHA looks forward with optimism to the remainder of Commissioner Vassiliou’s term.
Commissioner Vassiliou’s opening speech
The Commissioner started the hearing by declaring her intention to involve young people in the health work undertaken at EU level, particularly in in work on tobacco, alcohol and tackling obestiy. She stressed the disease-burden in Europe with cancer and heart disease as of primary importance, and underlined her intention to enforce EU law on health.
She drew on her ten years experience in the Cypriot parliament to explain her understanding of the responsibility and accountability faced by MEPs, and she stressed the importance of maintaining a dialogue with NGOs and other stakeholders.
Commissioner Vassiliou intends to promote EU commitments worldwide, and to reinforce the principles of gender equality and human rights.
She stressed that she is aware of the importance of inter-institutional balance and has to maintain an awareness on the importance of duty as well as wanting to put her own stamp on activities.
She pledged to act independently from all specific interests and to strive for better regulation and good governance. She will promote innovative methods of self-regulation where appropriate and proven to be effective. She will develop Europea dialogue to respect and listen to the needs of the citizen.
On legislation, she focussed on the importance of implementation and enforcement, and called on Member States to fulfill their commitments. She specifically mentioned the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) and the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA), and expressed her confidence in them to deliver timely and trusted risk assessment to support policy decisions.
In her opening speech she specifcally mentioned food labeling, patient rights and cross-border healthcare, organ donation, patient safety, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), cancer and rare diseases, safety and transport. On labeling she promised to protect and inform the citizen as well as simplying and consolidating existing rules. On patient rights and cross-border healthcare she expressed a desire to improve the legal clarity and transparency of existing legislation. She stressed the rights of patients to access healthcare, and that the Directive on Patient Rights will be released in June as part of a joint package with Commissioner Spidla for access, opportunity and solidarity for all citizens.
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Questions from the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
