FOODSTUFFS : DIOXIN: COMMISSION REGRETS LACK OF INDUSTRY PROPOSALS.

Discussions undertaken with the industry aimed at strengthening the security of the production chain have not been very fruitful to date, according to information released by the European Commission, on 11 January. The day after a second meeting with the European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC) and other stakeholders responsible for fats (FEDIOL, EBB and EFPRA), the spokesperson for Commissioner John Dalli (health and consumer policy) made known that few proposals had been drawn up by the industry. "We are disappointed by the lack of industry proposals. However, four incidents in ten years(1) is perhaps sufficient," he added.

Following the detection, at the end of December 2010, of dioxin in certain foodstuffs produced in Germany, the Commission submitted two proposals to stakeholders: either to improve monitoring of the production chain or to introduce a strict separation of industrial fats and agri-food fats during the manufacturing process. This could even be implemented on a voluntary basis, or via an EU regulation. "Unfortunately, we did not experience a surge in proposals, even if the industry showed a sharper awareness. It will also be necessary to consult the member states [...] which actually have the right to go beyond what is anticipated by EU legislation," added the spokesperson.

Furthermore, on 11 January, the 27 member states carried out an initial exchange of views, which was relatively informative in the context of the Standing...