EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg MAIN TOPICS Background The new EU Food Safety Policy European Food Safety Authority Access to EU market Practical case of EU support for Egyptian exports 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg BACKGROUND 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg BACKGROUND Until 1990, Member States developed different approaches, levels and control mechanisms for food safety; EU consumers relied on these food safety regulations Food crises in 1990 marked a turning point Regulation 178/2002 establishes the legal framework for a new food safety policy 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

The New EU Food Safety Policy 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg MAIN PRINCIPLES Integrated approach through the food chain via new set of rules covering animal feed, food hygiene, residues, (FROM-THE-FARM-TO-THE-FORK) Risk assessment based on scientific evidence and managed through public authorities Definition of roles of all stakeholders Appropriate system of data collection to ensure traceability Apply the precautionary principle in risk management Ensure clear and regular information to the public 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

European Food Safety Authority EFSA 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg EFSA Need of a central organisation in the EU dealing with food safety and control mechanisms Created in 2002 by the Commission Regulation 178/2002 Will be fully operative by January 2007 Headquarters in Parma, Italy 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg STATUS OF EFSA Neither part of the Commission nor answerable to it Will take over all responsibilities of the existing Standing Committees Independent Scientific Body Scientific opinion may be requested by Commission, European Parliament or MS Also could start investigations on its own initiative 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg MAIN TASKS OF EFSA Provide the EU institutions and MS with independent information, advice and support Promote and coordinate the development of uniform risk assessment methods Collect, collate, analyse and summarise data Identify emerging risks Build European networks Greater Harmonisation of National Control Systems Enhance dialogue between consumers and stakeholders Overlook international dimension of the EFS rules 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg Access to EU markets 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

ACCESS TO EUROPEAN MARKETS EU absorbs around 85% of Africa’s and 45% of Latin America’s agricultural products It is of the EU’s interest that third countries export to the EU European consumers demand high level of health protection EU ensures the EU food legislation is in line with the SPSA of the WTO Third countries and establishments must accomplish with EU food safety rules to be allowed to export 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

ACCESS TO EUROPEAN MARKETS (continue) Egypt has 15 authorised establishments In Egypt the responsible Authority for authorisation is the General Organization for Export/Import Control in MoFT The EU provides Technical Assistance to meet food safety requirements For agriculture products, guidelines with import requirements are available (produced by the EU Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office) Also HelpDesk for exporters of developing countries 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg EXAMPLE: POTATOES Egypt’s first exported agricultural product to the EU (235,000 tons last season) To export, Egypt must apply with the EU rules and requirements of the EFS policy Potato growers in Egypt are faced with the Brown Rot disease The EU is supporting the government to control this disease ... 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EXAMPLE: POTATOES (continue) … Exported potatoes should come from pest free areas and only five interceptions are allowed The monitoring system in place is not working properly (last season 14 interceptions in the EU) Safety net should be put up in Egypt but, in reality, are in the ports of entry into the EU 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg EXAMPLE: FISH Until January 1999, Egypt exported marine and aquaculture fisheries to the EU Due to new EU regulations Egypt was taken from the list of allowed countries With support of the EU several initiatives have been taken to comply with the new Directive As a result of the efforts made by the GOVS/MoALR, Egypt has been included again in the list of third countries At present, one establishment fulfils the criteria to export. 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

TRADE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (TEP) A Five components of which one deals with the support to the General Organisation for Export and Import Control International Accreditation of three Food Laboratories (2 food testing labs in Alexandria and one calibration in Ain Sukhna) Training of Auditors for International Auditing Total Budget of TEP A: € 20 million: € 2 million for this component. 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg

EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg USEFUL INFORMATION European’s Commission Food and Veterinary Office Guidelines: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fvo/pdf/guide_thirdcountries_en.pdf European Food Safety Authority: www.efsa.eu.int EU Export Helpdesk for Developing Countries: http://export-help.cec.eu.int EU Standards: www.newapproach.org 22/11/2018 EU Commission Delegation Cairo www.eu-delegation.org.eg