Irradiation plan set to spark clash

Date: 17/09/1998

By Myles Neligan

A PROPOSAL designed to regulate the practice of prolonging the shelf-life of foodstuffs through irradiation is now facing a stern challenge from the European Parliament.

The plan has already provoked such intense wrangling between EU governments that it was delayed for ten years. Although member states finally settled their differences over the issue last year, a clash with MEPs could further delay a decision for many months.

Parliamentarians point out that the proposed measure would oblige the seven EU countries where food is not currently irradiated to accept imports of products treated in this way.

The proposition cannot become EU law without the support of the Parliament, and MEPs are determined to extract major concessions from national governments before approving it.

Observers say that the prospects for a rapid resolution of the dispute are not good. “The Parliament and the ministers disagree strongly over many aspects of the proposal and, so far, no real common ground has emerged,” said a Council of Ministers official.

The motion sets out approved food irradiation techniques and labelling criteria, and a non-exhaustive list of products which may be irradiated.

The Parliament and national governments disagree sharply on three particular issues.

First, MEPs argue that they should have a full say in updating the proposal after it enters into force, rejecting the ministers' view that it would be more practical to leave this to technical experts.

Secondly, they are calling for specific methods of measuring radiation doses to be laid down in the legislation. National governments argue that since food irradiation technology is evolving rapidly, it would be more appropriate to avoid such precise details at this stage.

Finally, the Parliament is insisting that any irradiated products currently in circulation which are not listed in the proposition should be withdrawn as soon as it is agreed and resubmitted for approval at a later date.

Ministers argue that, as it will take governments up to 15 months to transpose the measure into national law, it would be better to leave unlisted products in circulation and submit them for approval while waiting for national legislation to be updated.

Last week, EU governments agreed to support a European Commission declaration which promises to encourage the development of specific methods of analysing irradiated foods, going some way towards meeting the Parliament's demands.