Brussels, 18/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - The commissioner-designate for health and consumer protection, whose portfolio will now also include policy on medicine, was completely successful in his three hour hearing on Thursday 14 January at the environment and public health committee (which was joined for this occasion by members of other committees). His slogan was: “Patients and consumers first”. He also expressed a desire to promote consultation and displayed a commitment to take a tough line, which pleased MEPs, particularly German Social Democrat, Dagmar Roth Behrendt, who repeatedly applauded him, as observed at the end of the hearing by the president of the environment committee, German Social Democrat, Jo Leinen.
Pharmaceutical package. Questioned by German Christian Democrat, Peter Liese about possible changes and additions to the pharmaceutical package, John Dalli said that he hoped to advance as rapidly as possible on the two non-controversial parts of the package (pharmaco-vigilance and counterfeit medical products) and then re-assess the third part, focusing on patient information, in an effort to “strengthen the patient perspective in the proposal”. In response to another question, he explained that this would involve making a clearer distinction between information and publicity, and pointing out the necessity of consulting professionals.
In reply to the British Conservative, Marina Yannakoudakis, on the balance between patient needs and those of industry, he said that “giving priority to patients does not mean ruling out a strong commitment to the pharmaceutical industry remaining competitive and profitable”. He agreed with British Labour Party member, Glenis Willmott, in affirming that priority must be given to health. He also said that it was possible to find a solution “benefiting both parties”. He sought to gain the support of MEPs and patient organisations, which he believed must be sufficiently supported through novel ways of financing.
Bulgarian liberal, Antonyia Parvanova, raised the question of counterfeit medicines and online medical sales. On the first point, Dalli explained that counterfeit products are “not only a danger to consumers but also to innovation”. On the second point he said he wished to “work hard to ensure that the same controls applied to on and off-line sales”.
Cross-border healthcare. Dalli gave his approval to Radvilé Morkunaité-Mikuléniné (EPP, Latvia) and said that the directive on patient rights in cross-border healthcare, which is currently blocked at the Council, must go forward. He said he wished to “work with the Spanish Presidency and Council to forge a solution”. In a reply to Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, Dalli explained that he would be firm with the Council and underlined his previous experience as a Maltese minister, who had often been criticised because of his tough line, particularly when this involved getting reforms through.
Consumer information. In an answer to British Labour Party member Linda Mc Avan, who asked him what legacy he wished to leave after five years, John Dalli said that he intends to emphasise questions involving alcohol abuse, smoking and obesity. He believes that the key will be informing citizens rather than imposing legislation on them. He added that “the earlier we take care of children, the better” and said that they needed sufficient budgets to invest in more prevention.
In response to German Christian Democrat, Renate Sommers (EPP, ED), he explained that the objective should be “emancipating consumers” and declared that consumers “should be informed so that they can decide themselves what is good or not for them”. He added: “I do not want to tell European citizens what to eat but I do want to tell them what they are eating”. In reply to Dutch Liberal, Toine Manders, who proposed that he reduce this information which is proving costly to manufacturers because their products can be purchased on the internet now, the commissioner-designate explained that not everyone is on the internet and said that it was difficult to imagine a customer going home to consult the internet before going back to the shop where he made his purchase. He added that “it should be the shop that provides consumers with information”.
Dalli indicated that he would be responsible for the coordination of consumer issues at the Commission and would ensure that every new proposal relating to consumer perspectives is taken into account. “I will ensure that consumer interests are taken into account in every proposal submitted to the College… I am responsible for coordination of consumer protection”, he declared, in response to doubts raised by German Social Democrat Evelyne Gebhardt regarding the fragmentation of consumer protection in services. Gebhardt stated that Reding had also claimed responsibility for coordination but Dalli added that President Barroso had conferred this role on him when he presented his portfolio to him.
The question of the vulnerability of children as consumers was also raised by some MEPs. German Green Heide Rühle said that market supervision is as important as legislation with regard to certain sensitive products, such as toys. The MEP also asked whether new standards were justified, given the imprecise nature of norms regarding toys. Dalli asserted that developing supervisory capacity is necessary and explained that member states often lacked the appropriate means in this domain. Zuzana Roithova (EPP, Czech) wanted specific norms to be laid down for children's footwear and Dalli said he was prepared to work on this dossier.
Cloning. Dalli hoped that “in a year's time we will be able to publish a report on how to tackle the question of cloning” animals, which will be discussed with Parliament, he declared in a response to Kartika Tamara Liotard (GUE/NGL, Netherlands) and Horst Schnellhardt (EPP, Germany).
GMOs. In response to a question put to him by Corinne Lepage (ALDE, France) on how to tackle the question of GMOs, Dalli explained that “the basis of our decisions is science and it is very important that the opinions given are independent”. He also said that he wanted to regularly assess the independence of the different agencies.
With regard to the question of labelling GMOs, as called for from Parliament, Dalli promised, in response to Michail Tremopoulos (Greens/EFA, Greece), " to take into account each aspect of the problem and discuss the matter”.
Collective responses. Louis Grech (S&D, Malta) asked Dalli's opinion regarding collective responses, a question tackled by the commissioner-designate in his introductory remarks. Dalli affirmed that “there is not only a determination but a movement” in their support and said that he wanted to work with other commissioners in developing legislation in this area. (O.J./transl.fl)