Confirmation hearing of EU Commissioner-designate Olivér Várhelyi

The confirmation hearing was led jointly by the ENVI and AGRI Committees. The ITRE Committee and SANT Sub-Committee were also invited to this hearing. The hearing lasted three hours from 18:30 to 21:30. Within the ENVI Committee's remit and following his replies to the written questions, the Commissioner-designate was further questioned by Members in the field of public health, in particular regarding the pharmaceutical reform, access to medicinal products, and the fight against AMR. The Commissioner-designate also tackled food safety issues, such as the use of pesticides, animal diseases, and food labeling, as well as issues related to animal welfare, which were also under his portfolio. The confirmation hearing served as the basis for the coordinators of the committees responsible to assess whether the Commissioner-designate was qualified both to be a member of the College of Commissioners and to carry out the specific tasks assigned to him.