The EPP Group Coordinator of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Peter Liese, has described John Dalli as 'very competent and is the right man for the job' of Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy.

"With John Dalli taking charge, the health and food safety policies of the European Union will be in very good hands", Mr Liese said in a statement after yesterday's hearing before MEPs.

"In the area of information to patients, Mr Dalli explained that he will fight for independent information to patients and that he would first consider patients' interests before taking into account those of the industry," Mr Liese said.

He also welcomed Mr Dalli's strong support for unpaid donation of organs in Europe.

The group coordinator said Mr Dalli had also proved convincingly competent in the area of consumer protection and food safety particularly in view of his accent on better and broader information for the consumer without telling each consumer what to eat and what not.

"The clear positions of John Dalli in the area of consumer protection were just as convincing for me as his remarks in the field of health politics. For the upcoming five years, consumers and patients can expect that their rights will be strengthened. John Dalli is the right man for this position", Mr Liese concluded.