To make Europe a healthier, safer place, where citizens can be confident that their interests are protected.
A zero-risk society may not be possible but they are doing as much as they can to reduce and manage risks for citizens.
They aim to:
- protect and improve public health
- ensure Europe's food is safe and wholesome
- protect the health and welfare of farm animals
- protect the health of crops and forests
They will achieve goals by watching, listening to people's concerns and acting.
1. Monitoring - once the EU has passed laws on food and product safety, consumer rights or public health, it is up to national, regional and local governments to apply those laws - to ensure traders, manufacturers and food producers stick to the rules.
Part of the job is to check that this is really happening.
2. Listening - to be effective, the policies must take account of related EU policies on trade, competitiveness and the environment for example, and the concerns of the stakeholders. Through broad consultation , they want to hear from all interested parties.
3. Acting - where EU action is needed, they make proposals using a mixture of laws, support for projects and other measures. They also support national or regional authorities where they are better placed to act.
TRANSPARENCY
As part of the Commission's commitment to transparency, Directors-General publish information on meetings held with organisations or self-employed individuals.
- Information on meetings held by Director-General Xavier Prats Monné (Relevant information about meetings taking place after 1 December 2014 will be published 15 days after they have taken place, at the latest.)
- Press release: “Opening the windows: Commission commits to enhanced transparency”, 25 November 2014
WHO THEY ARE
DG Health and Food Safety has around 960 staff.
