Smarter rules for safer food and plant health, Brussels

Atomium in Brussel
© Kevin Bergenhenegouwen
date December 13, 2019 08:00 - 17:00
city Brussels, Belgium
location Brussels, Belgium Show location
organisation European Commission (EC) i, Council of the European Union (Council) i

Registration

The new Official Controls Regulation (OCR), which brings together disperse rules into a single Regulation, will offer more targeted, risk-based controls along the agri-food chain.

With its broader scope and new IT based tools, it provides for a modernised, integrated and efficient system to intercept risks related to public health, plant health, animal health and welfare.

With a few exceptions, the new Regulation (and a significant number of Delegated and Implementing acts) will become applicable on 14 December 2019.

On the same date, the new Regulation on protective measures against pests of plants will also become applicable.

These acts represent major elements of the overall legal framework contributing to the protection of public, animal and plant health in the EU.

The new legislation will also make enforcement more efficient by the introduction of a new computerised system (IMSOC), which integrates existing computerised systems, including the RASFF system which this year celebrates 40 years of existence.

To present these new rules and celebrate 40 years of RASFF, the Commission is organising, with the support of the Finnish Presidency, the conference “Smarter rules for safer food and plant health” on 13 December 2019 in Brussels.

The conference will also be a good occasion to share best practices, increase the level of awareness and preparedness among EU countries, interested parties and trading partners.

Speakers include members of the European Commission and the Finnish Presidency, government experts, relevant stakeholders and scientists.

Please note: there will be no on-site registration. We therefore encourage you to register online


1.

European Commission (EC)

The European Commission is the executive body of the EU and runs its day-to-day business. It is made up of the College of Commissioners, 27 European Commissioners, one for each member state, who are each responsible for one or several policy areas. In addition, the 'Commission' also refers to the entire administrative body that supports the Commissioners, consisting of the Directorates-General and the Services.

The European Commission is the sole EU body capable of proposing new legislation. The Commission also performs an oversight function, monitoring whether European legislation is properly implemented in the member states. In the event of non-compliance, the Commission can coerce a member state to comply by starting a legal procedure at the European Court of Justice.

2.

Council of the European Union (Council)

In the Council, government ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies. The ministers have the authority to commit their governments to the actions agreed on in the meetings.

Together with the European Parliament , the Council is the main decision-making body of the EU.

Not to be confused with:

  • European Council - quarterly summits, where EU leaders meet to set the broad direction of EU policy making

3.

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