The new European commissioner for health and animal safety has promised to improve areas related to food safety standards. Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Safety, said he wants to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of food safety standards, including for imported foods. “Food safety standards are a trademark of Europe.
They ensure that EU citizens have access to nutritious, safe and high quality food products. My priority is to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of these world leading rules during the coming mandate,” he said. Várhelyi, who took over from Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, is the first EU Commissioner with animal welfare listed in the title.
“I am fully aware of our citizens’ calls that we do more on this topic. I will be focused on finding solutions which respond to citizens’ expectations, and which are also economically and financially viable for farmers. It is my strong conviction that Europe must embrace our farmers to produce enough food and guarantee us high-quality local products that are deeply rooted in our culture.
” Várhelyi has worked on files related to DG Sante’s portfolio, such as medical products, pesticides, and GMOs. On pesticides, Várhelyi, a Hungarian lawyer and diplomat, said he was aware they are an essential part of the toolbox for farmers to protect crops but he also wants to increase the availability of viable alternatives to reduce the .
