Strasbourg, 14/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the Giuseppe Nistico Report, the European Parliament only made few amendments to the Council's common position on the new directive establishing quality and safety standards for the collection, control, processing, conservation and distribution of human blood and blood components. Parliament only reintroduced a small number of amendments aimed, notably, at: 1) providing details to certain definitions, (2) guaranteeing the use of the most recent scientific and technical procedures by blood transfusion establishments for controlling each donation of blood or blood components.
During the debate, Mr. Nistico said he hoped that the directive that is to modify that of 2001 could be adopted on second reading already so as to enhance the safety and quality of blood and blood products. In addition, before the vote, he spoke against several amendments concerning voluntary and unpaid donations, so as to respect the principle of subsidiarity. Commissioner David Byrne also wanted it to be left up to Member states so wishing to have recourse to paid donations to avoid any possible shortages. The Commission considers that an agreement is possible on second reading, Byrne added, calling on Parliament only to adopt a reduced number of amendments to avoid conciliation and open the way for the directive's definitive adoption at the next Health Council, to be held in Luxembourg on 26 June. The French Green, Didier Claude Rod, "shadow rapporteur", however, regretted the rejection of many amendments tabled by his group, notably regarding prior patient information and on possible undesirable effects of transfusions or even the genetic protection of blood donors. Furthermore, he deplored the fact that, whereas most European countries practised voluntary and unpaid blood donations, the text adopted encouraged free donations but did not demand it.