EU budget: Cuts 'undermine food safety'

In the wake of a series of scares last year, involving the discovery of unauthorised dyes such as Sudan 1 in food products, the EFSA argues that the EU needs food safety resources more than ever.

�With these cuts, in the event of a food pandemic, we believe we would do what was requested of us,� said a spokeswoman.

�But it would mean skipping other work; we would have to prioritise and consequently, food safety would suffer. These cuts definitely jeopardise our scientific work.�

EFSA chairman Stuart Slorach plans to mount a fight back in the EU institutions and  seek support for winning back funds.

A member of European parliament�s committee for food safety, Liam Aylward MEP, said that he was very unhappy about the cuts.

�I expect standards for the EU. Without a doubt I fully support EFSA�s campaign to have their budget reinstated,� said Aylward.