Raising of limits on radioactivity in food by Emergency Regulation (EC) No 297/2011

5.4.2011

Question for written answer P-003663/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Kartika Tamara Liotard (GUE/NGL)

1. Is the main aim of Regulation (EC) No 297/2011 to protect food safety and hence public health?

2. If so, why does Regulation (EC) No 297/2011 refer to the maximum permitted levels of caesium-134 and caesium-137 provided for in Regulation (Euratom) No 3954/87?

3. Is the Commission aware that the maximum permitted levels of, inter alia, caesium laid down by Regulation (EC) No 3954/87 are far higher than the levels permitted by Regulation (EC) No 733/2008 of 15 July 2008, which has been in force since 2008?

4. Can the Commission confirm that, by means of Regulation (EC) No 297/2011, it has effectively raised the limit for radioactivity in comparison with the situation which obtained before the regulation was adopted?

5. If the Commission can confirm this, how can it claim that by means of Regulation (EC) No 297/2011 it seeks to protect public health?

6. Is the Commission aware that the maximum permitted levels of radioactivity in food which currently apply, as a result of Regulations (EC) No 297/2011 and 3954/87, are even higher than the levels permitted in Japan?

7. Has the Commission considered the danger that radioactively contaminated food which according to Japanese standards is too contaminated will now be exported to Europe because the EU is suddenly applying less stringent standards?

8 If so, why has the Commission not adopted standards at least as strict as Japan’s or at least referred to the far lower limits in Regulation (EC) No 733/2008?

9. Does the Commission believe that the higher limits provided for in Regulation (EC) No 3954/87 are just as safe as the lower limits provided for by Regulation (EC) No 733/2008?

10. If so, why were the limits ever lowered in the latter regulation?

OJ C 314 E, 27/10/2011