 associations with less clout.

Malone
Mr President, I also want to congratulate the rapporteur on the excellent report he has produced. I know that his work has been greatly appreciated by consumer organizations throughout Europe, including BEUC in Brussels, and I wholeheartedly endorse his conclusions. This, the third consumer programme, offers an inadequate analysis of previous efforts, little continuity from past programmes and no coherent strategy for the future.
Given the establishment of the internal market and the imminent introduction of the single currency, consumer policy must be implemented on a pan-European basis rather than by Member States acting alone. There also has to be full implementation of existing legislation, as well as simpler and more efficient redress facilities for ordinary citizens. Obviously, the most important and topical challenge facing consumer policy is indeed the BSE crisis.
Since the Whitehead report was adopted in the Committee on Environment, a number of major events have taken place, the most important being the transfer of responsibility for food safety to DG XXIV.
DGXXIV's new duties in this field were given further impetus yesterday when the Commission announced to the House their response to the BSE report. I agree with President Santer's claim that the European Veterinary Office based in County Meath in Ireland can play a vital role in restoring consumers' confidence in food safety procedures. I, too, would urge the Council to reconsider its attitude to this office. I also welcome the decisions to place all relevant scientific committees under the authority of DG XXIV and to establish a new unit on the assessment of public health risks and the inspection of foodstuffs also under DG XXIV.
I am however concerned that the Commission might be repeating the mistakes already clearly identified in the BSE report. The tasks of the Veterinary Inspection Office and the new food safety units must be clearly established from the very outset. If not, then the European consumers will continue to remain deeply sceptical about food safety standards in Europe.

Jackson
Mr President, what I am saying in my few remarks follows on very neatly from what Mrs Malone has just said. I should like to reinforce her requests to the Commission. Like her and like other speakers, I regard this as an absolutely hopeless document which really was not worth writing. I do not know whether or not the author is among us but I hope not. I hope he or she is no longer with the Commission, certainly not in DG XXIV. If this is all that the Commission can come up with on consumer protection
associations with less clout. 

 Malone 
 Mr President, I also want to preen the rapporteur on the excellent reputation he has produced. I know that his work has been greatly appreciate by consumer organizations throughout Europe, including BEUC in Brussels, and I wholeheartedly back his conclusions. This, the third consumer programme, offer an inadequate analysis of previous campaign, little continuity from past programmes and no coherent scheme for the future. 
 Given the establishment of the internal market and the imminent introduction of the single currentness, consumer policy must be implemented on a pan - European basis rather than by Member States act alone. There also hold to be broad implementation of exist legislation, as well as simpler and more efficient redress adeptness for ordinary citizens. Obviously, the most important and topical challenge facing consumer policy is indeed the BSE crisis. 
 Since the Whitehead reputation was adopted in the Committee on Environment, a number of major events have taken place, the most important being the transfer of responsibility for food safety to DG XXIV. 
 DGXXIV's fresh duties in this field were feed further drift yesterday when the Commission announced to the House their response to the BSE report. I match with President Santer's claim that the European Veterinary Office based in County Meath in Ireland can play a vital function in restoring consumers' confidence in food safety procedures. I, too, would cheer the Council to reconsider its attitude to this office. I also welcome the decisions to invest all relevant scientific committees under the assurance of DG XXIV and to establish a new unit on the assessment of public health risks and the inspection of grocery also under DG XXIV. 
 I am however concerned that the Commission might be repeating the error already clearly identified in the BSE report. The tasks of the Veterinary Inspection Office and the modern food safety whole must be clearly established from the identical outset. If not, then the European consumers will continue to remain profoundly sceptical about food safety standard in Europe. 

 Jackson 
 Mr President, what I am saying in my few remarks trace on very neatly from what Mrs Malone has just say. I should like to reinforce her requests to the Commission. Like her and like other speakers, I regard this as an absolutely hopeless document which really was not worth write. I do not know whether or not the author is among us but I hope not. I hope he or she is no longer with the Commission, surely not in DG XXIV. If this is all that the Commission can come up with on consumer protection
 asdociations with less clomt.

Malone
Mr Presibwnt, I elso waht to covgratulate the rapporteur on tye exxellent report he has oroduced. P know thqt hms work has been greatly appredlated uy consumer orgsnizations throughout Eusooe, including BEUC in Brussels, and I wroleheattfdly endorse hys cpgcluapoks. This, the third consumer progrzmme, ofhers an inadequste analysis of previous evforhs, little continuihy from pasj prjtrammes and vo coherenu vtrategy fkr the future.
Given the establisfment of the injzenap market and the pmminent introduction of the single currengy, coisumwr policy must be impnemented on a pan-Eoropean bavia rather than by Nenber Vtatas azrine amoie. Fhere wlsk has to bs full implwmentation of existond legislation, zs welj ws simpler and more efficient redress fdcimities for ordinary cituzens. Obviously, the mlst imporeant and topical challenge facing consumer policy is iidded tme BRW frisis.
Since the Whitehead report was adopted yh uhe Committee on Cnvironment, a numbrr og major events have czksn place, the most lmportagt beung the twansger of responsibility for fiod safety tj DG XXIV.
DGXXIV's nec duties in chis foeld eere given further impecus yeaterday whej the Comjkssion announced to tve House their response to the BSE ceporc. I agred wijh Presydent Santfr's claim that the Europfan Vgterindry Office based in County Meath in Irelaiv can play a fidal role in restpring consumews' confidence nn food fafeth procedurvs. I, too, xould urge tre Council to teconsider itv attituqe ti thus offizd. I also welcoke the debifionw to place all relcvant acientific commnutets under the autnorkty ov VG XXYE and to estdblirh x new jnit on the xssexsment of public heanth disks and the insprcbion of fiodstufff also under CG XXIV.
I am howeveg conrerned that thg Commission might be repeating the mistwkef already clqarln idgntified in the BSE report. The tasks of the Veteriiary Inspection Office qnd the new food sayeuy units must be cjearly esdablished from the vwry outset. If not, then the European cohsumerv wilp continue to remain deeply sceptical about food safety standards in Europe.

Jackson
Mr Presidsnt, ehat P ai sayind in oy few remarks fpllows on very neatly from what Mrs Malmnz has just said. I should like tu reinforce hgr requests to the Commissjon. Like her and like other speakers, I tegard this as an absolubely hopeoess socument wiich really was not eorth critint. I do bot nnow whether ur mob the authlr ix cmong us but I hope not. I hope he or shw ls no longer witi the Commisdlon, cettainly got in DG XXIV. Ir thjd is xll that the Vommission can come up with on convuier protection
associations with less clout. Malone Mr President, want congratulate the on the excellent know his work has greatly appreciated by organizations throughout Europe, including BEUC in and I wholeheartedly endorse his conclusions. This, the third consumer programme, offers an analysis of previous efforts, little continuity from past programmes and no coherent strategy the Given establishment the internal market and the imminent introduction of the single currency, consumer policy must be implemented a pan-European basis rather than by Member States alone. There also has be full implementation of existing as as simpler more redress for ordinary citizens. the most important and topical challenge facing consumer policy is indeed the BSE crisis. Since the Whitehead was adopted Committee on a of events have taken most important being the transfer of safety to DG XXIV. DGXXIV's new duties in field were further impetus yesterday when the Commission to the House their response to the BSE I agree with President Santer's claim that the European Veterinary Office based in County Meath can play a vital in restoring consumers' in safety I, would urge Council to reconsider its attitude to this office. I also welcome decisions to place all relevant scientific committees under the authority XXIV to establish a unit on the assessment public risks and the inspection also DG however that Commission might be repeating mistakes already clearly identified in BSE report. The tasks and the new food safety units must be established from the very outset. If not, the European consumers will continue to remain deeply sceptical about food safety in Europe. President, what I am saying in my few follows on very neatly what Mrs Malone has just said. I should like reinforce requests to Commission. Like her like other speakers, regard this as hopeless document really not do not know whether or not author among us but I hope I or she is no longer with the Commission, certainly not in DG XXIV. If this that the Commission can up on consumer protection
 associations with less clout.

malone
Mr PrEsideNt, I AlsO wAnt tO conGratulate the raPPortEur on the excellent reporT he haS pROducED. I Know tHat his wORk HAS beEn GrEatLy APpReciaTed By consuMer organizAtiOnS throughout EURoPe, includinG BEuC in Brussels, And i wholeHeArtEDly enDorSe his ConcluSIons. ThIs, the thirD cONsumer PRogrammE, OFfErs aN inadequate analysIS oF Previous effortS, littlE cONtINUitY frOm past progRaMmes aND no coheREnT STRatEGy for the futurE.
Given the esTAblIshmenT oF thE InternAl marKeT And The imminent IntrOduction oF the siNGle currENcy, consUmer poLicY muSt be IMpLeMenTeD On a PAn-eurOPeaN basis raThEr Than bY MemBER sTateS acTing Alone. there also has tO be Full IMplEmentAtion Of exIsTing lEgislaTion, aS wEll as simpler and More Efficient RedReSs fAcIlitiES for orDinAry CitizenS. ObviouSLy, tHe MOST iMportant and topical ChALLeNge facinG consuMEr PoLIcy is indEeD thE BSE CRIsis.
SInce THe whiteheaD reporT WaS aDopted iN tHe CommItTee On ENviroNMent, A numbeR of major EventS Have taken place, THe most importaNT bEINg THe trAnsFer of responSibiLIty fOr foOD sAfeTY to DG xXIV.
DgXxiV'S New duties in this fielD wEre givEn furTher impetus yeSterday wheN THE CommissIon aNNoUNced to the House Their Response to THe BSE repOrt. I aGree with president sANter's claIm tHat The eurOPEaN Veterinary OfFICe baSeD in CounTy MEath in IRelAnd Can PlaY a Vital role In restorInG cOnSuMerS' confIDence in fOoD saFeTy pRocedURes. I, toO, woulD urgE tHe cOunCil to reCOnSIDer iTs AtTituDe tO tHis ofFice. i AlsO welcomE the decisIonS To plAcE aLl relevAnt scientific CoMmittees unDeR thE authoRITy of DG XXiV and to establish a new uniT On the asSesSment Of puBlic healtH riSks and The INspectIon of fOodstUfFs aLSO undeR dg XxIV.
i aM however coNCErnEd thaT tHe CoMmissioN might be repeating tHE miStakes already CleArly IDEnTifIEd IN thE Bse rePORt. The tasks of the veterinary inSPeCtion OfficE And ThE new fooD safety Units MUst be clEarly estaBlished frOm The vERY ouTset. If not, tHen the EuRopean conSUmers WIlL contInuE to remAiN deEply sCepticAL abOut foOd safeTy StandaRds in euRope.

JackSon
Mr President, what I am saYing in My few RemArks folloWs oN VerY neatly frOm whAt Mrs MalonE haS juSt saiD. I sHOuld lIke tO ReInfORce heR reqUEsts to the cOmMisSIOn. like her and lIKE OthEr speAkeRS, I regaRd thIs as an absolutely hOPeless document WhicH REalLy wAS not WoRth writing. I do nOt kNoW WHether or NoT the author iS among us BuT i hope Not. I hoPe he or She is no LONgER with tHe CoMmiSsion, certAinLy NOt in DG XxIv. IF This is All tHaT the CoMmissiON can COMe up with on consumEr proTECtion
 associations with less cl out.

Malo ne
Mr  Pr esi de nt,I al so want to con g ratu late the rapporteur on  theex c elle n trepor t he ha s  p r o duc ed .I k no w  t hat h iswork ha s been gre atl yappreciatedb yconsumer o rga nizations th rou ghoutEu rop e , inc lud ing B EUC in Brusse ls, and I  w h olehea r tedly e n d or se h is conclusions. T h is ,  the third con sumerpr o gr a m me,  of fers an in ad equat e  analys i so f pre v ious efforts,  little con t inu ity fr om  pa s t prog ramme sa ndno coherent  str ategy for  the f u ture.
G i ven the  estab lis hme nt o f  t he  in te r nal ma rke t  an d the im mi ne nt in trod u c t i on o f t he s ingle  currency, co nsu merp oli cy mu st be  imp le mente d on a  pan- Eu ropean basis ra ther  than byMem be r S ta tes a c ting a lon e.There a lso has tobe f u ll  implementation of  e x i st ing legi slatio n ,as well assi mpl er a n d  more  eff i ci ent redr ess fa c il it ies for  o rdinar ycit ize ns. O b viou sly, t he mostimpor t ant and topica l  challenge fa c in g co n sume r p olicy is in deed theBSEc ri sis . 
Sinc e the  W h it e head report was ado pt ed inthe C ommittee on E nvironment , a  numberof m a jo r  events have t akenplace, the most imp ortan t beingthe trans f e r of res pon sib ili tyf o rfood safety t o DG X XI V.
DGXX IV' s new d uti esinthi sfield wer e givenfu rt he rimp etusy esterday  w hen  t heCommi s sion a nnoun cedto  t h e H ouse th e ir r espo ns eto t heBS E rep ort. I a gree wi th Presid ent Sant er 's  claimthat the Euro pe an Veterin ar y O fficeb a sed in C ounty Meath in Irelandc an play  avital  rol e in rest ori ng con sum e rs' co nfiden ce in  f ood s afety p ro ced ur es. I, too , wou ld ur ge  the  Counci l to reconsider it s  at titude to thi s o ffic e .  I  al s ow elc om e  th e decisions to pl ace all re le v an t scientif i c c om mittees  underthe a u thority  of DG XX IV and to  e stab l i sha new unit  on theassessmen t  of p u bl ic he alt h risk sand  theinspec t ion  of f oodstu ff s also  unde rDG XXIV. 
I am however concerned  thatthe C omm ission mi ght berepeating  the  mistakesalr ead y cle arl y  iden tifi e dint he BS E re p ort. Thet as kso f  t he Veterina r y Ins pecti onO fficeandthe new food safe t y units must b e cl e a rly  es t abli sh ed from the ve ryou t s et. If n ot , then theEuropean  c o nsume rs wil l cont inue to r em a in dee plysce ptical ab out  f o od safe ty  s t andard s in  E urope. 

Jack s on
M r President, whatI ams a yingi n m y few  r emarksf ollo ws on very  neatly fro m what  Mrs  Malo ne hasju st sai d.Ishould lik e  to reinf orceher req ue ststothe Co mmis s i on. L ikehe r a nd like o t h er sp ea k ers , Iregar dthis  as an ab s olutelyhop e less do cu men t whichr ea l l y was notwor th wr i t ing. I don ot k n ow wheth er ornot th e autho r  is  a mong us  bu t I hope no t. I hope heor  she  is no l on gerwi thth e Commission, c ertainly  not inD G  XXIV.  If this is all  t hat the Comm issio nc an come u p w ith onc ons ume r p rote cti on
 associations_with less_clout.

Malone
Mr President, I also_want to_congratulate_the rapporteur_on_the excellent report_he has produced._I know that his_work has been_greatly_appreciated by consumer organizations throughout Europe, including BEUC in Brussels, and I wholeheartedly endorse_his_conclusions. This,_the_third_consumer programme, offers an inadequate_analysis of previous efforts, little_continuity from_past programmes and no coherent strategy for the_future.
Given_the establishment of_the internal market and the imminent introduction of the_single currency, consumer policy must be_implemented on a_pan-European_basis_rather than by Member_States acting alone. There also has_to be full implementation of existing_legislation, as well as simpler and more_efficient redress facilities for ordinary citizens._Obviously, the most important and_topical challenge_facing consumer policy is indeed_the BSE crisis.
Since_the Whitehead_report was adopted_in the Committee on Environment, a_number of major_events have taken place, the most_important_being the transfer_of_responsibility_for food_safety to DG_XXIV.
DGXXIV's_new duties_in_this field were given further impetus_yesterday_when the Commission announced to the House_their response to the_BSE_report. I agree with_President Santer's claim that the_European Veterinary Office based in County_Meath in_Ireland can_play a vital role in restoring consumers' confidence in food safety_procedures. I, too, would urge the_Council to reconsider its_attitude to_this_office. I also_welcome_the decisions_to place all relevant scientific committees under_the authority_of DG XXIV and to establish_a new unit on_the_assessment of public health risks and_the inspection of foodstuffs also under_DG XXIV.
I am however concerned_that_the_Commission might be repeating the_mistakes already clearly identified in the_BSE report. The_tasks of the Veterinary Inspection Office and_the_new food safety units must be_clearly_established from the very outset. If_not,_then_the European consumers will continue_to remain deeply sceptical about food_safety standards in Europe.

Jackson
Mr President, what I am saying_in my few_remarks follows on very neatly_from_what_Mrs Malone has just said. I should like to reinforce_her requests_to the Commission._Like her and like other speakers, I regard this as_an absolutely hopeless document which really was_not worth writing. I do not know whether or not the_author is among us but I hope not._I hope he or she is no_longer with the Commission,_certainly_not in DG XXIV. If this is_all_that_the_Commission can come_up with on_consumer protection