food, diet and nutrition

MEPs’ rejection of cuts for EU’s Fund for Most Deprived should be followed by more healthy and nutritious food provision

Following the vote by the European Parliament’s Social Affairs Committee on Monday (21 May 2013) rejecting the Commission’s proposal for one billion cut to the Fund for the 2014-2020 European Aid to the Most Deprived, EPHA applauds the Committee’s move whilst asking to re-consider its take on health and nutritional value of the food aid provision to the EU’s poor. The new 2014-2020 programme is intended to replace the Food Distribution Programme designed to (...)

[Update] Audiovisual Media Service Directive Implementation report adopted by the European Parliament

‘Innovation in Veterinary Medicines and the Competitiveness of Livestock Farming in the EU’

The event organised by Zoetis (a global animal health company) examined the challenges faced by the animal livestock industry. EPHA attended the meeting to collect and present the key messages of the workshop for EPHA Members. the final Zoetis Workshop Summary report Sandra Beaty from Zoetis stressed that EU legislation should be based on evidences and science. In his presentation Prof. David Leaver, Emeritus Professor The Royal Agricultural College UK, pointed out that if (...)

How to Put Non-Communicable diseases at the Heart of the Global Development Agenda?

The Lancet (the world’s leading medical journal), together with a number of international organisations (e.g.WHO, UNDP, World Bank), national governments and civil society, examined UN progress on the global development agenda. The discussions explored solutions for better accountability for global action on non-communicable disease (NCDs). EPHA, which closely followed the discussion, developed a number of key messages relevant to the public health community. The Lancet (...)

Consultation for the review of the European policy on organic agriculture

Organic farming and production play a significant economic role in the EU’s agricultural landscape. They can provide a market-oriented alternative for agricultural producers wishing to respond to the increasing demand for high-quality, eco-friendly products. In this consultation, the European Commission would like your views on how organic farming should be best developed. The Public Consultation is available on the website of the European Commission Background - organic farming (...)

Go and Meet a Deputy! (Go MAD!)- NGOs urge citizens to Go MAD over the CAP Reform

Following the disappointing outcome of the January 23 vote by the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (COMAGRI) over the CAP reform, 25 farmers’ and civil society networks from 10 countries are today launching the EU-wide action: Go M.A.D. (Go Meet A Deputy!). It calls upon Europe’s citizens to directly interact with their local members of the European Parliament (MEP) and ask them how they will vote during the plenary decision on the CAP (...)

"Aspartame is safe!" EFSA’s draft opinion on aspartame opened to public feedback

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has decided to launch an open consultation on its scientific risk assessment about the safety of ’Aspartame’ (codified as E951 in the EU), the widely-used and controversial artificial sweetener. In May 2011, EFSA was asked by the Commission to re-evaluate fully the safety of aspartame. The study is now been made public and submitted for comments until February 15. Public consultation on the draft scientific opinion on the (...)

Progress Report of the Council about the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Reform

The Council adopted a progress report on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP). The Irish presidency will follow the dossiers in the first half of 2013. Common agricultural policy reform - progress report Member states broadly welcomed the progress report and overall considered it as a fair and accurate reflection of the debate in the Council, which would lay the foundations for the next steps in the process under the Irish Presidency. They also noted that the next Presidency (...)

Next presidential trio - what’s there for agriculture and food?

FOODSTUFFS The three Presidencies will work together to ensure a high level of food safety, taking into account the work conducted by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius and the essential role of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to carry risk assessments as part of authorisation procedures. They will ensure the adoption of the proposed regulation on food intended for infants and young children and on food for special medical purposes, aimed at replacing the current legal regime on (...)

European Parliament adopts Resolution on Antimicrobial Resistance

Following an own initiative report by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Anna Rosbach (ECR, Denmark), the European Parliament voted on 11 December to adopt a resolution on the threat to health posed by Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). In the resolution, MEPs call for prudent use guidelines to reduce exposure to non-essential antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary practice, agriculture and aquaculture. The text emphasises the need to use antibiotics responsibly, to educate health (...)