Update 3: Dalli gets health and consumer policy portfolio

Malta's EU commissioner-designate John Dalli has been assigned the health and consumer policy portfolio.

He will be responsible for DG Health and Consumers, the Community Plant Variety office, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Food Safety Authority, the European Medicines Agency and the Executive Agency for health and consumers.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso announced the list of portfolios to his 26 member college of Commissioners today.

They other portfolios are:

Joaquín ALMUNIA: Competition. Vice-President of the Commission.

- László ANDOR: Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

- Baroness Catherine ASHTON: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security and Vice-President of the Commission.

- Michel BARNIER: Internal Market and Services.

- Dacian CIOLOS: Agriculture and Rural Development.

- Maria DAMANAKI: Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

- Karel DE GUCHT: Trade.

- Štefan FÜLE: Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy. *

- Johannes HAHN: Regional Policy.

- Connie HEDEGAARD: Climate Action.

- Maire GEOGHEGAN-QUINN: Research and Innovation.

- Rumiana JELEVA: International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. *

- Siim KALLAS: Transport. Vice-President of the Commission.

- Neelie KROES: Digital Agenda. Vice-President of the Commission.

- Janusz LEWANDOWSKI: Budget and Financial Programming.

- Cecilia MALMSTRÖM: Home Affairs.

- Günter OETTINGER: Energy.

- Andris PIEBALGS: Development.*

- Janez POTOČNIK: Environment.

- Viviane REDING: Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship. Vice-President of the Commission.

- Olli REHN: Economic and Monetary Affairs.

- Maroš ŠEČOVIČ : Vice-President of the Commission for Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration.

- Algirdas ŠEMETA: Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud.

- Antonio TAJANI: Industry and Entrepreneurship. Vice-President of the Commission.

- Androulla VASSILIOU: Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.

* In close cooperation with the High Representative/Vice-President in accordance with the treaties.

Mr Dalli will succeed Joe Borg, who had been responsible for maritime affairs.

Mr Barroso said he had sought to design a College which could generate fresh thinking and new ideas on the biggest challenges being faced in Europe.

"I'm confident that the Commissioners, who will be presented to the European Parliament, can be decisive in steering Europe towards sustainable recovery and a smarter, greener social market economy that works for people."

He said that in five years time he wanted this Commission to have been instrumental in leading Europe out of the economic crisis towards a competitive economy that provides sustainable growth and prosperity. That was its main priority.

Mr Barroso said that one of the key tasks of the new Commission was to give life to the new opportunities provided by the Lisbon Treaty.

The Nationalist Party said in a statement that the portfolio given to Mr Dalli honoured Malta since health and consumer affairs were of utmost importance to all European citizens.

The PN also thanked Dr Borg who made a name for Malta through his work in the fisheries sector.