Fw: (Radfood-list) Victory in Europe!!

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----- Original Message -----

From: " Mikhail " <mmikhail@...>

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Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 4:32 PM

Subject: (Radfood-list) Victory in Europe!!

> ANNOUNCEMENT: VICTORY IN EUROPE!

> THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT REJECTED EXPANDING THE LIST OF PERMITTED

> IRRADIATED FOODS!

>

> Today, the European Parliament (EP) rejected extending the list of food

> products permitted for irradiation in the European Union. The vote on

> the irradiation-related amendments is the strongest evidence yet of the

> need for further research in the field of irradiation. The EP's decision

> will weigh heavily on how the European Union will proceed with

> irradiation in the future. The European Commission, which implements

> legislation, considers the European Parliament's opinion before taking

> any action.

>

> The winning amendment, which passed in a 214-182 vote, states that the

> current list of spices, dried herbs and seasonings should continue to be

> the only approved food for irradiation until adequate scientific

> evidence proving its safety is conducted. It was the most restrictive,

> even in the face of severe opposition by the irradiation industry. The

> most dangerous amendment was defeated, which called on the European

> Commission to yield to the World Health Organization (WHO) in

> commissioning and disseminating information and research on the safety

> of irradiated foods.

>

> Despite over 40 years of research indicating severe health hazards

> associated with irradiated food, the WHO still endorses it. This

> indicates that the European Parliament does not heed to the WHO's

> recommendations when it comes to food irradiation and consumer safety.

> To read the report, Bad Taste, that outlines the flaws in the WHO's

> endorsement of food irradiation, click on the following URL:

> http://www.citizen.org/documents/BadTaste.pdf

>

> This vote will set a precedent in other nations that are developing

> irradiation legislation. Currently, many countries look towards either

> the United States or the European Union for advice before drafting laws.

> In addition, producing nations will not be able to use irradiation for

> products that are exported to the European Union.

>

> THANK YOU FOR SUBMITTING E-MAIL COMMENTS TO THE EP AND HELPING US WIN

> THIS VICTORY!

>

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> To learn more about food irradiation, visit our website at

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> Questions about the radfood list or food irradiation in general can be

> directed to cmep@... .

> - - Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy and Environment Program

>