June 2002   Volume VI, No. 1

SUMMARIES OF SYMPOSIA & MEETINGS

The EC Symposium on Food Control (Rome 1989) identified the need to create a facility allowing representatives of European food control authorities to meet, exchange information, and address inconsistencies and practical enforcement difficulties. The Dutch Inspectorate for Health Protection responded to this challenge by inviting enforcement directors from other member states to a meeting in The Hague in October, 1990. During this meeting the delegates agreed to establish an informal European Forum of Food Law Enforcement Practitioners (FLEP).

The 17th FLEP meeting was held in June 2001. Several working groups comprise a Working Party on mycotoxins, chaired by Hans Jeuring (NL).

The aims of FLEP include familiarization, exchange of information, and cooperation between European colleagues to further develop mutual confidence and trust in the resolution of practical control problems, along with promoting the adoption of good practices.

Mr. Jeuring (NL) updated the Forum on the results of a questionnaire sent out by the Working Party. He received responses from 12 countries and asked for additional replies from Portugal, Italy, and Luxembourg.

From the responses that Mr. Jeuring did receive, the following trends were apparent:

1. All countries enforce the new legislation; however, the number of samples differs widely between countries
2. Lack of harmonization exists regarding the import of non-veterinary products
3. Refused consignments speak to the need for an information system
4. Different interpretations of the results and uncertainty lead to enforcement actions taken at different levels in the member states
5. Differences in what happens to lots that exceed the legislated levels exist.

Mr. Jeuring concluded that the Working Party will come forward with recommendations, taking into account the remarks given during the meeting.

MTNL Home | Contents | Next Article