What is the basic approach of the European Commission to negotiations on food safety?
The existing body of EU law (“acquis”) related to food safety covers a large number of legislative acts, many of which are broad in scope and demanding in terms of transposition, implementation and enforcement. It is vitally important to ensure that the “acquis” is fully transposed into the national legislation of each candidate country and that administrative structures and procedures are strengthened and reformed in good time prior to accession. The Commission will however consider properly justified requests for transitional arrangements, provided these do not undermine the principles already set out by the Union. What is the state of play of negotiations for each candidate country? Negotiations on Chapter 1 (Free Movement of Goods) are already provisionally closed for 10 candidate countries. Negotiations with Bulgaria are in progress, and it is expected that Chapter 1 negotiations will soon be opened with Romania. None of the candidate countries have requested transitional periods
