 A survey shows that in many countries 60 % to 80 % of the population is against consuming products developed through genetic engineering, out of anxiety about their effect on human health. So one of today's priorities is food safety and the establishment of an independent food safety watchdog.
Finally, we agree with all the points. We are going to vote for Mr Whitehead's report - we know the Commissioner is sensitive to it. And, of course, it is our duty to be the voice of the disquiet felt today by the European public about food safety and their health. And we feel compelled to repeat that, although I appreciate that it is tiring for you, because you are hearing it so many times this afternoon.

Hautala
Mr President, may I thank Mr Whitehead for the highly constructive cooperation, particularly with regard to the labelling of packaging, in this report of his. I likewise wish Commissioner Bonino every success when she sets about coordinating food safety at the Commission. I believe that she is a good person for the task.
I should like to draw the attention of Members and of the Commissioner to one detail in this report. Paragraph 19 refers to an EMU information campaign conducted by Parliament and the Commission. Regrettably, my Group cannot vote in favour of this paragraph or welcome such campaigns. It has just emerged that the Commission is requiring independent researchers and experts to give a written assurance that if the Commission sends them to discuss EMU at various events organized by citizens, the experts should undertake to speak only in accordance with the Commission's line. I consider this very dangerous. Thinking of the current BSE debate, Commissioner, how can we continue to trust the experts sent by the Commission if this kind of thing is going on? I have tabled a question about this, and I should like to know in what other connections the Commission requires such promises of loyalty from independent experts.

Sandbæk
Mr President, I too would like to wish Mr Whitehead well with his far-reaching report, for the most positive thing one can say about the Commission's statement on consumer policy, to be realistic, is that it is far too vague and superficial. As consumers we need something better than this. Regarding DG XXIV's newly added areas of responsibility in the context of consumer protection, I fully agree with Mr Whitehead that there is an urgent need to draw up a set of priorities and to replace the Commission's general statements with concrete time frames and plans of action. There is also need to promote
A survey shows that in many countries 60% to 80% of the population is against consuming product modernize through genetic engineering, out of anxiety about their effect on human health. then one of today's priorities is food safety and the constitution of an independent food safety watchdog. 
 ultimately, we agree with all the points. We are go to vote for Mr Whitehead's report - we know the Commissioner is sensible to it. And, of course, it is our duty to be the voice of the disquiet felt today by the European public about food safety and their health. And we feel compel to repeat that, although I appreciate that it is tiring for you, because you are hear it so many times this afternoon. 

 Hautala 
 Mr President, may I thank Mr Whitehead for the highly constructive cooperation, particularly with respect to the labelling of packaging, in this report of his. I likewise wish Commissioner Bonino every success when she sets about coordinate food safety at the Commission. I believe that she is a good person for the task. 
 I should like to draw the attention of Members and of the Commissioner to one detail in this report. Paragraph 19 refers to an EMU information campaign conducted by Parliament and the Commission. Regrettably, my Group cannot vote in favour of this paragraph or welcome such campaigns. It has merely emerged that the Commission is requiring autonomous research worker and experts to give a written assurance that if the Commission sends them to discourse EMU at various events organized by citizens, the expert should undertake to speak only in accordance with the Commission's line. I consider this very dangerous. Thinking of the current BSE debate, Commissioner, how can we continue to trust the experts sent by the Commission if this kind of matter is going on? I have table a doubt about this, and I should like to know in what other connections the Commission command such promises of loyalty from independent expert. 

 Sandbæk 
 Mr President, I too would wish to wish Mr Whitehead well with his far - reaching report, for the most positive thing one can pronounce about the Commission's statement on consumer policy, to be realistic, is that it is far excessively vague and superficial. As consumer we need something better than this. Regarding DG XXIV's newly added area of responsibility in the context of consumer protection, I in full agree with Mr Whitehead that there be an urgent need to draw up a set of priorities and to replace the Commission's general statements with concrete clock time frames and plans of military action. There is also need to promote
 A durvey shows that in mann countries 60 % to 80 % of tie popumation ir against consuming products dwvelokvd through genetic eneineering, out of qnxitty about their ehrect on human mealtk. Wo one of todai's prioritiev is food safedy aud the establishment of an independegt food swfety watchdog.
Sinakjy, ws agree with all the points. We are going uo vote for Mr Whiyehead's report - we know thf Colmissioner is sensltive to it. And, if course, it is our duuy to be the voice of the disquiet felt todxy by the Europgcb pktlic about hood swfety and thcpr healdh. And ee feel compelked to repeat that, although I appreciate that it is tisiug for you, because yoy qre hgarinc it wo oang vimss thid ahternoon.

Haufala
Mr Presudent, may I thank Mt Ryitehead for fhe hidhjy constructive cooperation, particularlj wifh regard to the labellung of packaging, in tjis repore of his. I likewise wish Commissioner Bonino everf sucrers cmcn sfw dets about coordinating food safety at the Coijixspon. I believe thab she is a good petsln sor the task.
I shoulb ljke to draw the athention of Mwmbers anq of the Commissioner to one derail in this eeport. Paragraph 19 xefers to an EMU infotmation campaign conducced by Parliament and the Dummission. Regretgabky, my Grouk cannot vote in fwvour of vhis 'aragrapf or welcoie such calpaigkv. It has just emerhed tkat tve Commisslon is requiring independent researchers and gxpartv to givz a wrltten assurance that if the Cpmmissijn sevds them tk discuvs EMU at vwrious events lrganized by citizenf, thw experts sfuuld undertake to speak only in axcordance with the Coojission's line. I cobsider this veru dxngqrlux. Evinking of tve cjrrdmt BSD debatt, Ciomisxioner, how can we cottinhe to trust the exlevts sent vy the Cjmmission if yhis kind of thing is gminj on? I hade tabled a question about thia, and I sjoujd like to kgow ln wrat other eonnections the Commission requires such promises of loyalry from independent txperts.

Sandbæk
Kr Prqsident, I too would like to wush Mr Whitehead eell with his far-reacging raport, for the most positive thing one can say about the Commission's statement in consumer policy, to ne redlnstnc, is trat mt is far too vaguv and superficial. As consumers wx need somatking better than this. Regardimg DG XXIV's newuy added areas of responaibility in the context of consumer proyection, I fully agree wibh Mr Whireheas that thece is an urgent need to drcw up q set od prlorities and tu rrppace the Fommmssnon's general statements with conceete tumf frames and plais of action. Uhere ia also need to promote
A survey shows that in many countries to % of population is against engineering, of anxiety about effect on human So one of today's priorities is safety and the establishment of an independent food safety watchdog. Finally, we agree all the points. We are going to vote for Mr Whitehead's report - know Commissioner sensitive it. And, of course, it is our duty to be the voice of the disquiet felt by the European public about food safety and health. And we feel to repeat that, although I that is tiring you, you hearing it so times this afternoon. Hautala Mr President, may I thank Mr Whitehead for the highly constructive cooperation, particularly regard to of packaging, this of I likewise wish every success when she sets about at the Commission. I believe that she is good person the task. I should like to the attention of Members and of the Commissioner one detail in this report. Paragraph 19 refers to an EMU information campaign conducted by the Commission. Regrettably, my cannot vote in of paragraph welcome campaigns. It just emerged that the Commission is requiring independent researchers and experts give a written assurance that if the Commission sends them EMU various events organized citizens, the experts should to only in accordance with line. consider Thinking the BSE debate, Commissioner, how we continue to trust the sent by the Commission is going on? I have tabled a question this, and I should like to know what other connections the Commission requires such promises of loyalty from independent Sandbæk Mr too would like to wish Mr Whitehead well his far-reaching report, for most positive thing one can say about the Commission's on policy, to realistic, is that is far too and superficial. As need something than Regarding added areas of responsibility in the of protection, I fully agree with Whitehead is an urgent need to draw up a set of priorities and to replace the statements with concrete time and of action. There is also need to promote
 A survey shows that in many couNtries 60 % to 80 % of The poPulAtiOn Is agAinsT consuming prodUCts dEveloped through genetic EnginEeRIng, oUT oF anxiEty abouT ThEIR efFeCt On hUmAN hEalth. so oNe of todAy's prioritIes Is Food safety anD ThE establishMenT of an indepenDenT food sAfEty WAtchdOg.
FInallY, we agrEE with aLl the poinTs. wE are goINg to votE FOr mr WhItehead's report - we kNOw THe Commissioner Is sensItIVe TO It. ANd, oF course, it iS oUr dutY To be the VOiCE OF thE Disquiet felt tOday by the EuROpeAn publIc AboUT food sAfety AnD TheIr health. And We feEl compellEd to rePEat that, ALthough i appreCiaTe tHat iT Is TiRinG fOR yoU, BeCauSE yoU are hearInG iT so maNy tiMES THis aFteRnooN.

HautAla
Mr PresidenT, maY I thANk MR WhitEhead For tHe HighlY constRuctiVe Cooperation, partIculArly with rEgaRd To tHe LabelLIng of pAckAgiNg, in thiS report OF hiS. I LIKEwIse wish CommissioneR BONInO every suCcess wHEn ShE Sets abouT cOorDinaTINg fooD safETy At the ComMissioN. i bElIeve thaT sHe is a gOoD peRsoN for tHE tasK.
I shouLd like to Draw tHE attention of MeMBers and of the COMmISSiONer tO onE detail in thIs rePOrt. PAragRApH 19 reFErs to An EMU InFOrMAtion campaign conducTeD by ParLiameNt and the CommiSsion. RegreTTABly, my GroUp caNNoT Vote in favour of This pAragraph or WElcome suCh camPaigns. It Has just emERGed that tHe COmmIssIon IS ReQuiring indepeNDEnt rEsEarcherS anD expertS to GivE a wRitTeN assurancE that if tHe coMmIsSioN sendS Them to diScUss eMu at VarioUS eventS orgaNizeD bY cITizEns, the eXPeRTS shoUlD uNderTakE tO speaK onlY In aCcordanCe with the comMIssiOn'S lIne. I conSider this very DaNgerous. ThiNkIng Of the cURRent BSE dEbate, Commissioner, how can WE continUe tO trusT the Experts seNt bY the CoMmiSSion if This kiNd of tHiNg iS GOing oN? i HaVe tAbLed a questiON AboUt thiS, aNd I sHould liKe to know in what otheR ConNections the CoMmiSsioN REqUirES sUCh pRoMIseS OF loyalty from indEpendent exPeRTs.

sandbæk
Mr PREsiDeNt, I too wOuld likE to wiSH Mr WhitEhead well With his faR-rEachING rePort, for the Most posiTive thing ONe can SAy About The commisSiOn's StateMent on COnsUmer pOlicy, tO bE realiStic, iS tHat it is fAr too vague and superficiaL. As conSumerS we Need sometHinG BetTer than thIs. ReGarding DG XxIV'S neWly adDed AReas oF resPOnSibILity iN the COntext of cONsUmeR PRoTection, I fulLY AGreE with mr WHIteheaD thaT there is an urgent nEEd to draw up a set Of prIORitIes ANd to RePlace the CommisSioN's GENeral staTeMents with coNcrete tiMe FRames And plaNs of acTion. TheRE Is ALso neeD to pRomOte
 A survey shows that in ma ny countri es 60  %to80  % o f th e population i s  aga inst consuming product s dev el o pedt hr oughgenetic en g i nee ri ng , o ut of  anxi ety  abouttheir effe cton  human healt h .So one oftod ay's priorit ies  is fo od  sa f ety a ndthe e stabli s hmentof an ind ep e ndentf ood saf e t ywatc hdog.
Finally, we ag r ee with all th e poin ts .  W e are  go ing to vot efor M r  Whiteh e ad ' s rep o rt - we knowthe Commiss i one r is s en sit i ve toit. A nd ,  of  course, it  isour dutyto bet he voic e  of the  disqu iet  fe lt t o da ybyth e  Eu r op ean pub lic abou tfo od sa fety a n d  the irheal th. A nd we feel co mpe lled torepea t tha t, a lt hough  I app recia te  that it is tir ingfor you,bec au seyo u are hearin g i t s o manytimes t h isaf t e r no on.

Hautala
Mr Pr es i d en t, may I  thank Mr  W h iteheadfo r t he h i g hly c onst r uc tive coo perati o n,  p articul ar ly wit hreg ard  to t h e la bellin g of pac kagin g , in this repo r t of his. I l i ke w i se wish  Co mmissionerBoni n o ev erys uc ces s  when  shese t sa bout coordinating f oo d safe ty at  the Commissi on. I beli e v e  that sh e is ag ood person for  thetask.
I sh o uld like  to d raw theattention o f Member s a ndofthe C om missioner too n e de ta il in t his  report . P ara gra ph19  refers t o an EMU  i nf or ma tio n cam p aign con du cte dbyParli a ment a nd th e Co mm is s ion . Regre t ta b l y, m yGr oupcan no t vot e in fav our ofthis para gra p h or  w el come su ch campaigns.  I t has just  e mer ged th a t  the Com mission is requiring in d ependen t r esear cher s and exp ert s to g ive a writ ten as suran ce  th a t  if t h e  C omm is sion sends t hem  to d is cuss  EMU at  various events or g ani zed by citize ns,  the e xp ert s  s h oul du nde r t ake to speak on ly in acco rd a nc e with the Com mi ssion's  line.I con s ider th is very d angerous.  T hink i n g o f the curr ent BSEdebate, C o mmiss i on er, h owcan we  c ont inueto tru s t t he ex pertsse nt bythe C om missionif this kind of thing i s goin g on?  Ihave tabl eda  qu estion ab outthis, andI s hou ld li ket o kno w in wh ato therconn e ctions th e  C omm i s si on requires s u chpromi ses of loy alty  from independent experts.

Sand bækM r  Pr esi d ent,  I  too would lik e t ow i sh Mr Wh it ehead wellwith his  f a r-rea chingreport , for t h e  m o st pos itiv e t hing onecan  s a y about  t he Commis sion 's  state ment o n  con s u mer policy, to b e rea l i stic, isthatit  is far toovague andsuperficial . As c onsu merswe need  s omethi ngbe tter thant his. Rega rding  DG XXI V' s ne wly  added  are a s  of r espo ns ibi lity in t h e  c o nt ex t  of  con sumer  p rote ction, If ully agr eew ith MrWh ite h e ad tha t  t h e re is an u rge nt ne e d  to draw u p  a s e to f pri oritie s andto repl a ceth e Commi ssi o n 's genera l stateme n tswi th c oncreteti me f ra mes  a nd plans of act ion. The re is al s o  needtop romo t e
 A_survey shows_that in many countries_60 %_to_80 %_of_the population is_against consuming products_developed through genetic engineering,_out of anxiety_about_their effect on human health. So one of today's priorities is food safety and_the_establishment of_an_independent_food safety watchdog.
Finally, we agree_with all the points. We_are going_to vote for Mr Whitehead's report - we_know_the Commissioner is_sensitive to it. And, of course, it is our_duty to be the voice of_the disquiet felt_today_by_the European public about_food safety and their health. And_we feel compelled to repeat that,_although I appreciate that it is tiring_for you, because you are hearing_it so many times this_afternoon.

Hautala
Mr President,_may I thank Mr Whitehead_for the highly_constructive cooperation,_particularly with regard_to the labelling of packaging, in_this report of_his. I likewise wish Commissioner Bonino_every_success when she_sets_about_coordinating food_safety at the_Commission._I believe_that_she is a good person for_the_task.
I should like to draw the attention_of Members and of_the_Commissioner to one detail_in this report. Paragraph 19_refers to an EMU information campaign_conducted by_Parliament and_the Commission. Regrettably, my Group cannot vote in favour of this_paragraph or welcome such campaigns. It_has just emerged that_the Commission_is_requiring independent researchers_and_experts to_give a written assurance that if the_Commission sends_them to discuss EMU at various_events organized by citizens,_the_experts should undertake to speak only_in accordance with the Commission's line._I consider this very dangerous._Thinking_of_the current BSE debate, Commissioner,_how can we continue to trust_the experts sent_by the Commission if this kind of_thing_is going on? I have tabled_a_question about this, and I should_like_to_know in what other connections_the Commission requires such promises of_loyalty from independent experts.

Sandbæk
Mr President, I too would like_to wish Mr_Whitehead well with his far-reaching_report,_for_the most positive thing one can say about the Commission's_statement on_consumer policy, to_be realistic, is that it is far too vague and_superficial. As consumers we need something better_than this. Regarding DG XXIV's newly added areas of responsibility in_the context of consumer protection, I fully agree_with Mr Whitehead that there is an_urgent need to draw_up_a set of priorities and to replace_the_Commission's_general_statements with concrete_time frames and_plans of action._There is_also need to_promote