Commission reports progress on dioxins, PCBs

摘要

The European Commission has published its first progress report on its diox-in strategy. The report reveals the Commission's plans and timetable for future measures and reviews the findings of the latest research. One study shows that the use of wastes and by-products in animal feed is a significant source of dioxin exposure to people. The Commission's strategy on dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs was developed as a response to food contamination incidents, including the Belgian dioxin crisis of 1999. Its three pillars are the limits it sets on levels in food and animal feed -maximum levels, action levels and target levels. The strategy envisages permanent monitoring of dioxins and PCBs in the food chain across the EU. Member States are recommended to carry out random monitoring of foods and animal feed.