<p>The European Parliament 's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety is responsible for food safety issues, including the labelling and safety of foodstuffs, veterinary legislation safeguarding against risks to human health, and public health checks on foodstuffs and food production systems.</p>

<p>Parliament is also particularly vigilant with regard to threats to consumer health related to cloned animals and nanomaterials or GMOs. It scrutinises and regularly opposes draft proposals for authorisation or renewal of new genetically modified plants such as maize or soya beans. In order to ensure greater transparency throughout the food chain and to better inform European consumers, Parliament, in a resolution adopted in May 2016, reiterated its call on the Commission to present legislative proposals for the mandatory indication of the origin of, in particular, meat used as an ingredient in processed foods. This should restore consumer confidence in the wake of the horsemeat scandal and other food fraud cases. In 2017, Parliament and Council agreed upon new rules to tighten up official food inspections aimed at improving food traceability and combating fraud. During the negotiations, Parliament managed to strengthen enforcement in relation to fraudulent or deceptive practices.</p>

#EUelections2019 - Food safety

ENVI - Exchange of views with Commissioner Wopke HOEKSTRA

ENVI - Exchange of views with Dr. Bernhard URL, Executive Director of the European Food Security Authority (EFSA)

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

ENVI

Subcommittee on Public Health

SANT

Composition of Parliament

Composition of political groups

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 71) (action taken)

Children forcibly deported from Ukraine and the ICC arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel (debate)

Statement by the President - 80th anniversary of the Uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto

Composition of committees and delegations

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Keeping people healthy, water drinkable and soil liveable: getting rid of forever pollutants and strengthening EU chemical legislation now (topical debate)

Markets in Crypto-assets (MiCa) - Information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets (recast) (debate)

Digital euro (debate)

Dieselgate: suspected widespread use of defeat devices in cars to reduce effectiveness of pollution control systems (debate) (debate)

EU Global Health Strategy (debate)

Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda (debate)

The crackdown on the right to education and education rights activists in Afghanistan, including the case of Matiullah Wesa

Repression in Russia, in particular the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Aleksei Navalny

The risk of death penalty and execution of singer Yahaya Sharif Aminu for blasphemy in Nigeria

Plenary session

Subcommittee on Public Health - Constituent meeting

Opening of the sitting

Composition of a new subcommittee

Conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023 (debate)

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 71)(action taken)

(International Women's Day)

More Europe, more jobs: we are building the competitive economy of tomorrow for the benefit of all (topical debate)

Failure of the Silicon Valley Bank and the implications for financial stability in Europe (debate)

Strengthening the EU Defence in the context of the war in Ukraine: speeding up production and deliveries to Ukraine of weapons and ammunitions (debate)

Deaths at sea: a common EU response to save lives and action to ensure safe and legal pathways (debate)

Need for immediate reform of the internal rules of the Commission to ensure transparency and accountability in light of alleged conflicts of interests (debate)

Combatting organised crime in the EU (debate)

Women activism - human rights defenders related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) (debate)

The EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders (debate)

Cross-border adoptions from third countries (debate)

Combating discrimination in the EU - the long-awaited horizontal anti-discrimination directive (debate)

Iran: in particular the poisoning of hundreds of school girls

Tunisia: Recent attacks against freedom of expression and association and trade unions, in particular the case of journalist Noureddine Boutar

Cambodia: the case of opposition leader Kem Sokha

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Closure of the sitting

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, on upcoming proposals under the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Pharmaceuticals Package

ITRE ENVI joint committee - Exchange of views with Ms Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner for Energy, on the energy crisis

FEMM LIBE joint meeting - Consequences of the de facto abortion ban in Poland

Press conference on backlash against women's rights in Poland, including sexual and reproductive health and rights – findings of FEMM delegation to Poland

Seminar ' Culture: a driver for health and wellbeing in the EU '

EP Plenary session - E-sport and videogames

LIBE ENVI joint committee - Public hearing on ' Depathologisation of transgender and non-binary persons '

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA)

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with Janez Potocnik, Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel, including on aspects related to EU’s work on the circular economy

Video Games Stockshots

EP Plenary session - Mental health

Meeting between ENVI MEPs, delegates of the EP delegation to COP27, and climate activist Elizabeth WATHUTI.

World Mental Health Day: Migrants, Refugees and Mental Health.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with  Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

ENVI Committee - Vote to adopt a draft resolution in view of the COP27

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - European Health Union

Event '  Mayors and EU policies together for healthy living spaces '

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with Mr Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management, on the strengthening of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism

MEPs debate the position of the Parliament for negotiations with EU countries on EU rules on new genomic techniques to make our food system more sustainable and resilient. Opening statements by Jessica POLFJÄRD (EPP, SE), Veronika VRECIONOVÁ (ECR, CZ) on behalf of AGRI Committee and Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Plants obtained by certain genomic techniques and their food and feed: opening statements by Jessica POLFJÄRD (EPP, SE), Veronika VRECIONOVÁ (ECR, CZ) on behalf of AGRI Committee and Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

MEPs vote on the following subjects: Implementation report on Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods - Metz; Protection of the European Union’s financial interests - combating fraud - annual report 2022 - Grapini; Shaping the EU’s position on the UN binding instrument on business and human rights, in particular on access to remedy and the protection of victims - Hautala; Impact of illegal fishing on food security – the role of the European Union - Melo;

Voting Session - Part 1

As President of the Council, Belgium leads the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States in the following six months. Their aim is to strengthen the European Union and make progress in several areas, such as rule of law, democracy, green and just transition or social and health agenda. MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo the programme of Belgium’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January. Closing remarks by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency: Closing remarks by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal and Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister

As President of the Council, Belgium leads the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States in the following six months. Their aim is to strengthen the European Union and make progress in several areas, such as rule of law, democracy, green and just transition or social and health agenda. MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo the programme of Belgium’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January. MEPs debate

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency: MEPs debate

As President of the Council, Belgium leads the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States in the following six months. Their aim is to strengthen the European Union and make progress in several areas, such as rule of law, democracy, green and just transition or social and health agenda. MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo the programme of Belgium’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January. Round of the Political Group Leaders.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency: Round of the Political Group Leaders

As President of the Council, Belgium leads the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States in the following six months. Their aim is to strengthen the European Union and make progress in several areas, such as rule of law, democracy, green and just transition or social and health agenda. MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo the programme of Belgium’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January. Opening statements by Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency: opening statements by Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal

As President of the Council, Belgium leads the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States in the following six months. Their aim is to strengthen the European Union and make progress in several areas, such as rule of law, democracy, green and just transition or social and health agenda. MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo the programme of Belgium’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January. Arrivals and opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency: opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament

Tomislav SOKOL (EPP, HR) and Annalisa TARDINO (ID, IT), co-rapporteurs, hold a press conference on establishing a European Health Data Space. The draft position, prepared by the Environment and Civil Liberties committees, aims to give citizens the means to control their personal healthcare data and facilitate secure sharing for research and public health purposes. This transcription is a result of an authomatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Tomislav SOKOL (EPP, HR) and Annalisa TARDINO (ID, IT), co-rapporteurs, on establishing a European Health Data Space

MEPs vote on the following topics: Reinhard Bütikofer (AFET A9-0373/2023) - EU-Japan relations; María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (AFET A9-0371/2023) - The situation of children deprived of liberty in the world; Barry Andrews (DEVE A9-0322/2023) - Role of EU development policy in transforming the extractive industries for sustainable development in developing countries; György Hölvényi (DEVE A9-0338/2023) - EU development cooperation to enhance access to education and training in developing countries; Erik Poulsen (ENVI A9-0366/2023) - Non-communicable diseases; Tomislav Sokol, Annalisa Tardino (ENVI/LIBE A9-0395/2023) - European Health Data Space; Victor Negrescu (AFCO A9-0384/2023) - Implementation of the Treaty provisions on special legislative procedures; Objection to a delegated act pursuant to Rule 111(3); Motions for resolutions - 30 years of Copenhagen criteria - giving further impetus to EU enlargement policy.

Voting session

MEPs debate and adopt their position for negotiations with EU governments on new rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging in the EU. The report by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety includes proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to encourage the use of recycled content. This news item shows extracts from the debate and extracts from the votes on Packaging and packaging waste.

Packaging and packaging waste: extracts from the debate (21/11); and extracts from the votes

MEPs vote on Packaging and packaging waste, the report by Frédérique Ries (A9-0319/2023). The report by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety includes proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to encourage the use of recycled content. MEPs want to ban the sale of very light weight plastic carrier bags, unless required for hygiene reasons, and the use of intentionally added so called “forever chemicals” and Bisphenol A in food contact packaging.

Voting session: Packaging and packaging waste

MEPs vote on sustainable use of plant protection products - Report: Sarah Wiener (A9-0339/2023). The report by the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee stands up for reducing the use of chemical plant protection products and to make them safer by at least 50%. It would also reduce the use of so-called “more hazardous products” by 65%, compared to the 2013-2017 average.

Voting session: Sustainable use of plant protection products

Following Hamas’ deadly attack against Israel on 7 October 2023, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 people and resulted in more than 200 people being taken hostage, Israel declared war against the terrorist group. It began striking the Gaza Strip from the air, later sending ground forces into the sealed-off coastal enclave. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 11,000 Palestinians, including a large number of civilians, have so far been killed. MEPs take stock of the latest developments, and discuss the regional and global implications of the renewed hostilities as well as the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East. Closing statements by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management and Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World.

Key debate - Humanitarian situation in Gaza: Closing statements by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management and Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of the European Commission

Following Hamas’ deadly attack against Israel on 7 October 2023, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 people and resulted in more than 200 people being taken hostage, Israel declared war against the terrorist group. It began striking the Gaza Strip from the air, later sending ground forces into the sealed-off coastal enclave. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 11,000 Palestinians, including a large number of civilians, have so far been killed. MEPs take stock of the latest developments, and discuss the regional and global implications of the renewed hostilities as well as the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East.

Key debate - Humanitarian situation in Gaza: MEPs debate (part 2)

Key debate - Humanitarian situation in Gaza: MEPs debate (part 1)

Following Hamas’ deadly attack against Israel on 7 October 2023, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 people and resulted in more than 200 people being taken hostage, Israel declared war against the terrorist group. It began striking the Gaza Strip from the air, later sending ground forces into the sealed-off coastal enclave. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 11,000 Palestinians, including a large number of civilians, have so far been killed. MEPs take stock of the latest developments, and discuss the regional and global implications of the renewed hostilities as well as the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East. Opening statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World and Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

Key debate - Humanitarian situation in Gaza: opening statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of the European Commission and Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

MEPs put forward draft changes to the EU’s core rules, following up on the Conference on the Future of Europe and reacting to unprecedented challenges. The text, prepared in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs by five co-rapporteurs representing a broad majority, includes a more bicameral system, as well as granting Parliament the full right to initiate legislation and the right to co-legislate on the EU’s long-term budget. It also calls for an increase in the number of decisions taken by qualified majority in the Council. Other proposals touch upon the election of the Commission President, citizens’ participation including EU-wide referendums, and more EU powers in areas such as environment and biodiversity, security and defense, civil protection, public health, energy, and cross-border-infrastructure.

Proposal of the European Parliament for the amendment of Treaties: MEPs debate

MEPs debate and adopt their position for negotiations with EU governments on new rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging in the EU. The report by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety includes proposals to make packaging easier to reuse and recycle, to reduce unnecessary packaging and waste, and to encourage the use of recycled content. MEPs want to ban the sale of very light weight plastic carrier bags, unless required for hygiene reasons, and the use of intentionally added so called “forever chemicals” and Bisphenol A in food contact packaging. They also want consumers to be able to bring their own container for take-away food and drinks. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Nils TORVALDS (Renew, FI), Rapporteur.

Packaging and packaging waste: closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Nils TORVALDS (Renew, FI), Rapporteur

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