25/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - MEPs approve interinstitutional agreement on novel foods. On Thursday 25 June, MEPs from the European Parliament's environment committee approved the final interinstitutional compromise offer on the proposal to simplify the procedure for authorising novel foods in order to encourage innovation in food (see EUROPE 11332). The MEPs said 'yes' by qualified majority (36 votes in favour, 29 against and 3 abstentions) to the amendment of Regulation 258/97 (the so-called Novel Food Regulation), knowing that the text ensures keeping a high level of health protection for consumers. Under the terms of the agreement, there will be a single and centralised authorisation procedure, and access to the traditional food of third countries will be facilitated - but the regulation will cover nanomaterials and food from cloned animals explicitly until specific rules concerning these areas come into force. It is now up to the European Parliament and Council of the EU to confirm the agreement. (AN)