Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Encyclopedia
The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) is a committee of the European Parliament. It has 68 members and a secretariat of 10 administrators. Its chairman is Jo Leinen (DE, S&D) . Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
.
committee by MEP
s, due to its low importance. However since then, under the chairmanship of Ken Collins, it has increased in powers. The co-decision procedure for legislation, which grants more powers to the Parliament, has been extended to more policy areas. Notably, the areas covered by this committee were the main recipients of these new powers. Also due to the rising importance of its issues (e.g. in regards to global warming
), it has become one of the most important committees in Parliament. As well as becoming a major forum with the Parliament, the open sessions are usually well frequented by both business lobbyists and representatives from environmental NGOs.
1. environmental policy and environmental protection measures, in particular concerning:
2. public health, in particular:
3. food safety issues, in particular:
.
Evolution
During the 1990s it was unfavourably known as the CinderellaCinderella
"Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper" is a folk tale embodying a myth-element of unjust oppression/triumphant reward. Thousands of variants are known throughout the world. The title character is a young woman living in unfortunate circumstances that are suddenly changed to remarkable fortune...
committee by MEP
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
s, due to its low importance. However since then, under the chairmanship of Ken Collins, it has increased in powers. The co-decision procedure for legislation, which grants more powers to the Parliament, has been extended to more policy areas. Notably, the areas covered by this committee were the main recipients of these new powers. Also due to the rising importance of its issues (e.g. in regards to global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
), it has become one of the most important committees in Parliament. As well as becoming a major forum with the Parliament, the open sessions are usually well frequented by both business lobbyists and representatives from environmental NGOs.
Responsibilities
The committee is responsible for:1. environmental policy and environmental protection measures, in particular concerning:
- (a) air, soil and water pollution, waste management and recycling, dangerous substances and preparations, noise levels, climate change, protection of biodiversity,
- (b) sustainable development,
- (c) international and regional measures and agreements aimed at protecting the environment,
- (d) restoration of environmental damage,
- (e) civil protection,
- (f) the European Environment AgencyEuropean Environment AgencyEuropean Environment Agency is an agency of the European Union. Its task is to provide sound, independent information on the environment. It is a major information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public...
;
2. public health, in particular:
- (a) programmes and specific actions in the field of public health,
- (b) pharmaceutical and cosmetic products,
- (c) health aspects of bioterrorism,
- (d) the European Medicines AgencyEuropean Medicines AgencyThe European Medicines Agency is a European agency for the evaluation of medicinal products. From 1995 to 2004, the European Medicines Agency was known as European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products.Roughly parallel to the U.S...
and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and ControlEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and ControlThe European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is an independent agency of the European Union aimed at strengthening Europe's defences against infectious diseases. It was established in 2005 and is located in Solna, Sweden....
;
3. food safety issues, in particular:
- (a) the labelling and safety of foodstuffs,
- (b) veterinary legislation concerning protection against risks to human health; public health checks on foodstuffs and food production systems,
- (c) the European Food Safety AuthorityEuropean Food Safety AuthorityThe European Food Safety Authority is an agency of the European Union that provides independent scientific advice and communication on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain, created by European Regulation 178/2002....
and the European Food and Veterinary Office.
See also
- Food AdministrationFood AdministrationFood Administration may refer to various past and present organizations with responsibilities related to food in numerous countries and international organizations:- Argentina :...
- Food safetyFood safetyFood safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent foodborne illness. This includes a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards....
- European Commissioner for the Environment
- Directorate-General for the Environment (European Commission)Directorate-General for the Environment (European Commission)The Directorate-General for the Environment is a Directorate-General of the European Commission, responsible for the European Union policy area of the environment....
- Directorate-General for the Environment (European Commission)
- European Commissioner for HealthEuropean Commissioner for HealthThe Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy is the member of the European Commission. The current Commissioner John Dalli. The portfolio is responsible for matters of public health, food safety, animal health, welfare and consumer affairs.-Kyprianou:...
- Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection (European Commission)Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection (European Commission)The Directorate-General for Health and Consumers , formerly Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection and often abbreviated as "SANCO" or "DG-SANCO" for the French words Santé & Consommateurs , is a Directorate-General of the European Commission...
- Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection (European Commission)
- European Commissioner for Enterprise & IndustryEuropean Commissioner for Enterprise & IndustryThe Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship is a Vice President of the European Commission. The current commissioner is Antonio Tajani.The post was enlarged from the Commissioner for Enterprise and Information Society portfolio in the Prodi Commission to include Industry...
- Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry (European Commission)Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry (European Commission)The Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry is a Directorate-General of the European Commission. The Enterprise Directorate-General works on creating an environment in which European firms can thrive...
- Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry (European Commission)