EU Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner John Dalli is expected  in Berlin later today for talks on the E.coli outbreak.

Addressing a press conference this evening following an extraordinary meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Luxembourg, Mr Dalli said that the effectiveness of the EU's rapid alert system in place for such incidents had been discussed by ministers who agreed this should be reviewed following this crisis.

"We are always in the process of improving our systems. The Commission will be looking at adjustments in order to ensure that the same pitfalls can be avoided in the future."

Mr Dalli emphasised the need to go by scientific proof in these circumstances.

"We need certainty before we make statements, because news travels fast and becomes public knowledge immediately. It can create a lot of fear and harm operators within the system."

Meanwhile, to placate criticism, the European Commission also proposed to offer €150 million in compensation to farmers affected by the outbreak.

However, many member states said that the amount is insufficient.

See also:

Dalli warns Germany on food scares

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110607/world/dalli-warns-germany-over-food-scares.369419

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