A series of crises concerning human food and animal feed (BSE, dioxin etc.) has exposed weaknesses in the design and application of food legislation within the EU. This has led the Commission to include the promotion of a high level of food safety among its policy priorities over the next few years. As was stressed at the Helsinki European Council in December 1999, particular attention must be focused on improving quality standards and reinforcing systems of checks throughout the food chain, from farm to table.
The White Paper on food safety is an important element in this strategy. The Commission is proposing a number of measures which will enable food safety to be organised in a more coordinated and integrated manner; these include:
the establishment of an independent European Food Authority with responsibility for independent scientific advice on all aspects relating to food safety, operation of rapid alert systems and communication of risks;
an improved legislative framework covering all aspects of food products "from farm to table";
greater harmonisation of national control systems;
dialogue with consumers and other stakeholders.
