Food law, European Food Authority, and food safety

The Council took note of a progress report concerning the establishment of a European Food Authority and on questions pertaining to food safety. The report focuses on the question of the establishment of the Authority. The Presidency stated that progress had been made in the negotiations on the Authority and drew the conclusion that the Authority should be in place early next year in accordance with the task assigned by the European Council in Nice. It also stated that the Agriculture Council will remain closely associated with the work concerning the establishment of the European Food Authority and that the aim is to achieve a political decision by June 2001.�