The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament (EP)—which brings together the president of the institution, the leaders of its political groups, and the chairs of all parliamentary committees—decided on Wednesday, 4 February, that the Committee on Agriculture (AGRI) and the Committee on the Environment (ENVI) would share responsibility for the food safety package.
The substance of this package, which was presented on 16 December, will thus be handled by these two main committees (see EUROPE 13774/15). The Committee on International Trade and the Committee on Budgets will be consulted.
The proposals cover several topics, including faster market access procedures for biological pest control products, more efficient renewal procedures for pesticides, stricter import rules concerning pesticide residues, and a new approach to border controls for plant products.
With regard to the text on biotechnologies—on which the Committee on the Environment had asked to be included [in the work]—only the Committee on Industry and the Committee on Public Health will remain responsible for its substance. Nevertheless, the Committee on the Environment will draft an opinion, as will other committees (Consumer Protection, Economic Affairs, etc.). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)