EU Commissioner John Dalli today gave an overview of the activities related to his portfolio throughout 2011. His presentation touched on all aspects of EU Health and Consumer Policy.
In spite of the challenges Europe has gone through, work continued in earnest in this area and a number of major results were achieved, he told a press conference.
He said that in the health sector, the European Commission focused on wellness rather than disease.
Keeping people well and out of hospital beds was key to health sustainability in the future. Thus, policies that pushed people towards a lifestyle which kept them in good health needed to be developed and promoted.
In consumer policy, empowerment was emphasised over protection. Consumers, Mr Dalli said, ought to be proactive, especially as the single market develops further, but they need to have the proper leverage to be a full partner in the market. This could come about through information and right of redress.
Mr Dalli said this year will be a very busy one, with a number of proposals to be tabled in the coming months. These include an Animal Welfare Strategy, which will be presented this week.
Upcoming revisions of the Medical Devices Directive and the Medical Trials Directive also showed how the welfare and safety of patients were at the heart of the Commission's policies, Mr Dalli said.
The recent breast implants controversy showed that the EU must remain vigilant and must always react when such unacceptable situations arose.
The European Commission will also promote the Consumer Agenda, a joint effort with Vice-President Reding. The Agenda will provide an integrated approach for consumer policy to ensure that consumers' interests are included in all relevant EU policies.
Finally, in the second half of the year a new Directive on Tobacco Products will be presented, a development which is eagerly expected by NGOs and stakeholder, including the industry. The proposal will tackle crucial issues such as flavourings, additives, points of sale and of course packaging.