Brussels, 28/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - A political agreement was reached on Thursday, without debate, in the Council on the draft regulation defining the general principals of the food legislation and instituting the future European Food Authority. It includes around half of the 200 EP amendments (see EUROPE of 13 June, p.10). Following the Commission, the Council subscribes to the principal of a legislation covering the entire food chain, including the safety of food for animals producing foodstuffs, as well as to the idea of an Authority with the wide ranging mandate (which has not got the Parliament's support). On the other hand, it moves away from the Commission by entrusting (as the Parliament) the management of the early warning system to the Commission, and especially by considerably widening its own representation in the Authority's administrative council (16 Members nominated by the Council instead of 4) - which the Commission disapproves. The text does not broach the issue of the Authority's seat.