MEPs will not oppose the technical standards of the new European traceability system and security features on tobacco products. The European Parliament’s environment, public health and food safety committee (ENVI) voted on Tuesday 28 November to reject the proposals for objection by the EFDD Group.
“We know that the monitoring and traceability system adopted by the European Union is not the perfect solution but it works. Opposing it would mean there not being any system, and that is not an option for us”, said Miriam Dalli (S&D, Malta) after the vote. “The monitoring and traceability system for packets of cigarettes must be operational as quickly as possible. It’s a priority in the fight against the illegal trade in tobacco products. We have no time to waste”, stated Françoise Grossetête (EPP, France). The proposal for objection to the traceability system was rejected by 44 votes to 9, with 2 abstentions. The proposal on the security features was rejected by 46 votes to 9, with 1 abstention.
The vote by the member states must now be awaited. They have until Wednesday 29 November to come to a position using the written procedure. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)