Brussels, 08/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - In response to the failed terrorist attack on the Amsterdam-Detroit flight on 25 December, the European Commission announced on Thursday 7 January, that it could bring in regulation on the use of body scanners in European airports. A press release published after the meeting of European aviation experts said that the Commission would consider launching an imaging technology initiative to reinforce security. At the same time, the press release went on, it was assessing the conditions of use of such machines, particularly in terms of privacy, data protection and health issues. The European experts were unanimous in stressing the need for a “European approach in the face of threats to security”, and that this included on body scanners. After the meeting, Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani said he backed European regulation, and did not rule out a text being brought forward by the incoming Commission. However, Security Commissioner Jacques Barrot said he felt that there was “no silver bullet” in security. Body scanners, which may appear very effective, may also have their “down side”, not to mention the high cost, he said, speaking in Le Figaro. Anti-terrorist Coordinator Gilles de Kerkhove opposed the “systematic use” of these scanners. Certain flights could be chosen and all the passengers on these scanned along with some of the other travellers, perhaps, the Financial Times Deutschland reports him as saying. “If privacy can be ensured, if data protection rights are abided by and if the machines mean more effective checks, I would back a swift decision”, he added, indicating that he would welcome the Commission's bringing forward a proposal. The Spanish Presidency may be calling for a common stance on the steps to take, but Spanish Transport Minister Jose Blanco Lopez nevertheless called on the EU not to react hastily “and assume that body scanners are the best security measure”. Belgian Transport Minister Etienne Schouppe warned against a knee-jerk reaction on scanners, stating that the rules in place were sufficiently robust. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom have decided to introduce body scanners in their airports. France and Italy are considering whether to test scanners in a number of their airports. Germany would also appear to have warmed to the idea of scanners. US Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will meet European home affairs ministers at an informal meeting in Toledo on 21-22 January. (B.C./transl.rt)