4 March 2014 / Brussels. Today Testbiotech, together with various stakeholders, will participate in a meeting organised by the EU Commission to discuss current regulations relating to the food chain. EU Regulation 178/2002, which is perceived as the most basic regulation on food safety, is undergoing scrutiny by the EU Commission REFIT program to evaluate its content and overall effectiveness. This regulation is fundamental to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Testbiotech believes that a substantial improvement in EU food safety standards is essential in order to meet the high level of protection required by this Regulation.
“It appears that a lack of adequate balance in political strategies is to blame for major deficiencies regarding the implementation of the current standards in food safety. While the EU Commission has put much emphasis on supporting technology, competition and innovation, it has never pushed in a similar way for a coherent and effective approach to foster independent risk research and precaution”, says Christoph Then for Testbiotech.
In this context, Testbiotech today published a short discussion paper on the issue. The recommendations for EU policies are:
- the development of an integrated participative approach in the process of risk analysis,
- to broaden scientific expertise of the authorities involved in risk assessment
- systematic promotion of independent risk research and
- taking more account of the uncertainties and limits of knowledge before products are allowed on the market.
Contact: Christoph Then, Tel 00491515463804, info@testbiotech.org