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EEA POLICY AREA: FOOD SAFETY – FOOD AND VETERINARY MATTERS

The primary goal of the food and veterinary legislation is to ensure food safety. Given that the safety of the final product may be affected at any stage of the food production process, the legislation follows a food chain approach “from farm to fork”. All sectors of the food chain are covered, including feed production, primary production, processing, storage, transport and sale to the consumer. The veterinary legislation covers animal and public health requirements for the production, trade and imports of live animals and animal products, as well as issues related to the control of these products. Arrangements for animal welfare and the control and prevention of animal diseases are also included. As regards animal feed, the legislation concerns marketing and labelling, undesirable substances in feed, the authorisation of feed additives and the control of feed producing establishments. The food legislation includes general principles for food law and deals with a wide range of matters related to food safety, food quality and information to consumers. Some of the areas covered are biotechnology (genetically modified food), labelling and information, contaminants and residues, as well as food additives and food flavourings. Legislation concerning organic production is also covered by the food legislation in the EEA Agreement. In the period 2002-2004, the EU adopted legislation concerning generalfood law and the European Food Safety Authority, as well as legislation concerning hygiene and control in the food production chain and legislation concerning animal by-products. In relation to the EEA Agreement, this package of legislation has been referred to as the Food Law Package. A general review of the veterinary legislation which is applicable to Iceland was also part of the package. The Food Law Package entered into force in the EEA on 1 May 2010. With the entry into force of the Food Law Package, the essential food law is now harmonised within the EEA. The legislation in the package introduces general principles for food production, such as traceability, risk analysis and a precautionary approach. The legislation also sets out responsibilities and requirements for food business

operators. In addition, the EEA EFTA Member States are ensured participation in the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The Working Group on Veterinary Matters deals with matters concerning animal health and animal welfare, as well as public health matters related to animal products. The Working Group considers a large number of legal acts every year. Current matters of the Working Group are, in particular, the implementation of the EU Animal Health Strategy 2007-2013, revision of the hygiene and control legislation and certain amendments to the legislation concerning transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). The Working Group meets when necessary. The Working Group on Feedingstuffs deals with matters related to animal feed. A large part of the legislation that is considered by the Working Group concerns authorisation of feed additives. The Working Group generally meets twice a year. The Expert Group on Foodstuffs follows the development of new food legislation in the EU and facilitates the implementation of relevant legislation into the EEA Agreement. Currently, the Expert Group is reviewing the new EU legislation on food additives, food flavourings and food enzymes. The Expert Group is also closely following the discussions in the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission proposal for a Regulation on food information and the Commission proposal for a revised Regulation on novel foods. The Expert Group has submitted EEA EFTA Comments to both proposals. The Expert Group meets on average once a year. The Expert Group on Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) deals with legislation concerning residues of veterinary medicinal products in food. The Expert Group does not meet. • Veterinary Issues are covered by Chapter I of Annex

I of the EEA Agreement. • Feedingstuffs are covered by Chapter II of Annex I

of the EEA Agreement. • Foodstuffs are covered by Chapter XII of Annex II of

the EEA Agreement.

• MRLs are covered by Chapter XIII of Annex II of the EEA Agreement.

See also:

DG Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO) - Food and Veterinary Matters Source: http://www.efta.int/eea/policy-areas/goods/agriculture-fish-food/food-safety.aspx

Contact person at EFTA for food safety, food and veterinary matters Line Boystad, Officer Telephone: +32 2 286 17 45 E-mail: lbo@efta.int

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