Press Release: Brussels round table on food and agriculture: European Commission wants to take better account of the public’s ethical and ecological concerns

EU Commissioners Franz Fischler (agriculture, rural development and fisheries) and David Byrne (health and consumer protection) met in Brussels on 26 July 2001 with consumers, farmers, representatives from the food industry, trade representatives, scientists and organic farming associations for a round-table discussion on agriculture and food. The round table is part of a Commission action plan for a wide-ranging public debate on society's expectations of food and agricultural policy. With this initiative, the Commission would like to see a discussion on what people expect of farming and the produce they eat. Mr Fischler stressed that the Brussels round table had highlighted the need to take better account of European citizens' ethical and ecological concerns. In Mr Byrne's view, the Brussels discussion had again made it patently clear that today's consumers not only want more detailed information on the food they eat but also are increasingly prepared to pay for good-quality produce.

European Commission: DG Agriculture and Rural Development: Quality Policy: EU agricultural product quality policy http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/chat/fischler-byrne/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/chat/fischler-byrne/index_en.htm

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