MEPs expected to query Byrne on food safety, plans for agency

Ireland's new European Commissioner, Mr David Byrne, will be expected today to outline in detail his policies on food safety, particularly genetically modified foods, as well as his plans for a new all-powerful European food agency when he appears before European Parliament members.

The MEPs are questioning all commissioners-designate prior to voting later this month on the new commission nominated by the incoming president, Mr Romano Prodi.

Mr Byrne, the former Attorney General, is to have special responsibility for food safety along with his health and consumer protection portfolio. But Green MEPs confirmed last night they would also be raising issues of "domestic politics".

"I have received a lot of representations about Glen Ding and its sale by the Haughey government to Cement Roadstone Holdings, and particularly in relation to Mr Byrne's involvement in the appointment of Mr Justice Moriarty, a CRH shareholder," Green MEP Ms Patricia McKenna said.

Mr Byrne is aware of this likely line of questioning but other parties on the European Parliament's environment, public health and consumer policy committee want to focus on how he plans to end a succession of scandals centring around contaminated food in Europe, and a protracted debacle over the regulation of GM foods.

The out-going commission's performance in these areas has been subjected to sustained criticism. Food, most notably GMOs, health scares such as the recent dioxin scandal, and trade wars - as with the US over hormone-treated beef - have been issues which have permeated through most of the hearings this week.

Mr Byrne does not have sole responsibility for GM foods but has jurisdiction over labelling of such products. In written replies to MEPs, he pledged to ensure consumers get adequate information.

Similarly, delivering a European food agency, along the lines of the US Food and Drug Administration, would have huge ramifications for the regulation of EU food and require colossal investment to help win back consumers' confidence in science and what they eat.

Mr Byrne has already told MEPs he believes there is an urgent need to reform EU food legislation. He said he wished to tighten animal welfare regulations. In addition, he highlighted the absence of a coherent EU-wide framework on animal feeds - implicated in recent scandals, including the BSE crisis - and called for improved monitoring and control of antibiotic and pesticide usage.