1. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

2. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
MAIN TOPICS
Background
The new EU Food Safety Policy
European Food Safety Authority
Access to EU market
Practical case of EU support for Egyptian exports
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

3. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
BACKGROUND
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

4. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
BACKGROUND
Until 1990, Member States developed different approaches, levels and control mechanisms for food safety;
EU consumers relied on these food safety regulations
Food crises in 1990 marked a turning point
Regulation 178/2002 establishes the legal framework for a new food safety policy
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

5. The New EU Food Safety Policy
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

6. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
MAIN PRINCIPLES
Integrated approach through the food chain via new set of rules covering animal feed, food hygiene, residues, (FROM-THE-FARM-TO-THE-FORK)
Risk assessment based on scientific evidence and managed through public authorities
Definition of roles of all stakeholders
Appropriate system of data collection to ensure traceability
Apply the precautionary principle in risk management
Ensure clear and regular information to the public
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

7. European Food Safety Authority EFSA
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

8. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
EFSA
Need of a central organisation in the EU dealing with food safety and control mechanisms
Created in 2002 by the Commission Regulation 178/2002
Will be fully operative by January 2007
Headquarters in Parma, Italy
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

9. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
STATUS OF EFSA
Neither part of the Commission nor answerable to it
Will take over all responsibilities of the existing Standing Committees
Independent Scientific Body
Scientific opinion may be requested by Commission, European Parliament or MS
Also could start investigations on its own initiative
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

10. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
MAIN TASKS OF EFSA
Provide the EU institutions and MS with independent information, advice and support
Promote and coordinate the development of uniform risk assessment methods
Collect, collate, analyse and summarise data
Identify emerging risks
Build European networks
Greater Harmonisation of National Control Systems
Enhance dialogue between consumers and stakeholders
Overlook international dimension of the EFS rules
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

11. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
Access to EU markets
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

12. ACCESS TO EUROPEAN MARKETS
EU absorbs around 85% of Africa’s and 45% of Latin America’s agricultural products
It is of the EU’s interest that third countries export to the EU
European consumers demand high level of health protection
EU ensures the EU food legislation is in line with the SPSA of the WTO
Third countries and establishments must accomplish with EU food safety rules to be allowed to export
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

13. ACCESS TO EUROPEAN MARKETS (continue)
Egypt has 15 authorised establishments
In Egypt the responsible Authority for authorisation is the General Organization for Export/Import Control in MoFT
The EU provides Technical Assistance to meet food safety requirements
For agriculture products, guidelines with import requirements are available (produced by the EU Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office)
Also HelpDesk for exporters of developing countries
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

14. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
EXAMPLE: POTATOES
Egypt’s first exported agricultural product to the EU (235,000 tons last season)
To export, Egypt must apply with the EU rules and requirements of the EFS policy
Potato growers in Egypt are faced with the Brown Rot disease
The EU is supporting the government to control this disease
...
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

15. EXAMPLE: POTATOES (continue)…
Exported potatoes should come from pest free areas and only five interceptions are allowed
The monitoring system in place is not working properly (last season 14 interceptions in the EU)
Safety net should be put up in Egypt but, in reality, are in the ports of entry into the EU
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

16. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
EXAMPLE: FISH
Until January 1999, Egypt exported marine and aquaculture fisheries to the EU
Due to new EU regulations Egypt was taken from the list of allowed countries
With support of the EU several initiatives have been taken to comply with the new Directive
As a result of the efforts made by the GOVS/MoALR, Egypt has been included again in the list of third countries
At present, one establishment fulfils the criteria to export.
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

17. TRADE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (TEP) A
Five components of which one deals with the support to the General Organisation for Export and Import Control
International Accreditation of three Food Laboratories (2 food testing labs in Alexandria and one calibration in Ain Sukhna)
Training of Auditors for International Auditing
Total Budget of TEP A: € 20 million: € 2 million for this component.
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo

18. EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg
USEFUL INFORMATION
European’s Commission Food and Veterinary Office Guidelines:
European Food Safety Authority:
EU Export Helpdesk for Developing Countries:
EU Standards:
22/11/2018
EU Commission Delegation Cairo