Long-term budget, Schengen enlargement, Russia on June Strasbourg plenary

In the continued uncertainty about the cause of the recent virulent outbreak of E. coli in Germany, MEPs called Tuesday for better coordination in the future and improved enforcement of rules on food labelling and traceability. After the unjust accusation levelled against Spanish cucumbers and possibly against soya beans, members also deplored the harm done to the EU fruit and vegetable industry.

Health Commissioner John Dalli called on member states to avoid premature conclusions not based on scientific evidence, noting that the ban on European products is disproportionate, as the source so far is limited to an area around Hamburg. Farm ministers will meet later Tuesday in Luxembourg to discuss the impact on agriculture and the hardship faced by farmers.

"It's not normal that Europeans go out for a salad and die," UK Socialist Linda McAvan said. She was one of a number of MEPs who raised questions about EU farming practices, the use of antibiotics, traceability and food labelling.

German Christian Democrat Peter Liese also raised concerns about antibiotic resistance in farming. He noted that this strain of E. coli is resistant to antibiotics.

"The precautionary principle must prevail...human lives should come before economic questions," said French Liberal Corinne Lepage, calling for better enforcement of labelling and traceability rules. German GUE/NGL member Sabine Wils said, the current food transport chain makes it impossible to trace where and how food is produced.

Not handled well

Mr Liese said warnings should be issued when human health is endangered but said in this case it was made public too soon. Ms Wils said Germany had failed in managing the crisis, both at regional and central level. The "complete confusion in Germany led to disastrous consequences", she said.

German Green Rebecca Harms said neither Germany nor the EU was ready for the outbreak and Germany had a communications problem in deciding whether ministers or labs were competent to speak on the issue. Ms Harms called for a central EU body to be set up, which would issue alerts if necessary.

Meanwhile, British Conservative James Nicholson said the focus should be on developing a long-term system to prevent a similar occurrence rather than on how things should have been done.

Compensation for farmers?

Waving a cucumber as he spoke, non-attached Spanish MEP Francisco Sosa Wagner called for compensation for those affected by the crisis.