Food law in the European Union. Green paper

The Committee sees the Green Paper as a valuable basis for discussions and as an opportunity to make European food legislation more transparent and more efficient. In the general comments it points out: - the need for a comprehensive, integrated EU food policy as well as the need for a general directive on food; - the importance of strengthening Articles 129 and 129(a) of the Amsterdam Treaty to give consumers a firm guarantee that health problems take precedence over economic interests; the need for a strict application of the precautionary principle and a clear commitment to the principle of preventative health and consumer protection; - the fact that legislative and other provisions must be as simple as possible and only go into detail where necessary; - the great importance of continuing to secure the free movement of goods. �