Commission clarifies food contamination levels after Fukushima accident

In March 2011, an earthquake and tsunami damaged the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan. The accident led to increased radioactive contamination. The Ombudsman received several complaints from citizens about a lack of information concerning changes made to the maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination for foodstuffs imported from Japan to the EU. After the Ombudsman's investigation, the Commission submitted the requested clarifications and explained that, initially, the maximum radiation levels permitted in imported foodstuffs were higher than those permitted in Japan itself, but were lowered to the Japanese levels a few weeks later.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/10844/html.bookmark

NGO receives EUR 70 000 from the Commission

The Ombudsman helped settle a dispute between the European Commission and the NGO Migration Policy Group (MPG) concerning an EU project launched as part of the "European Migration Dialogue". After an audit, the Commission issued a recovery order for more than EUR 130 000 because MPG had delivered supporting documents for staff costs too late. MPG complained about the "disproportionate" nature of the recovery order. The Commission eventually accepted the Ombudsman's friendly solution proposal and refunded EUR 70 000 to the NGO.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/11209/html.bookmark

Potential conflicts of interest in 'revolving door' cases

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Parma is in charge of risk assessment in the EU regarding food and feed safety. Its role is to provide independent scientific advice, in collaboration with national authorities and other stakeholders. A German NGO turned to the Ombudsman, complaining that EFSA did not adequately address a potential conflict of interest concerning the move of the Head of EFSA's Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Unit to a biotechnology company. After his investigation, the Ombudsman called on EFSA to strengthen its rules to avoid potential conflicts of interest in 'revolving door' cases. In March 2012, EFSA published new rules with a view to avoiding potential conflicts of interest.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/11106/html.bookmark

Commission should publish public consultations in all EU languages

The European Commission regularly carries out public consultations in order to allow citizens, companies, and other stakeholders to participate in the EU's decision-making process. A Spanish lawyer complained that public consultations are often only published in English. The Ombudsman shared the complainant's view that citizens cannot be expected to participate in a consultation which they are unable to understand. According to the Ombudsman, multilingualism is essential for citizens to exercise their right to participate in the democratic life of the EU, which is guaranteed by the Lisbon Treaty. He called on the institution to publish its public consultation documents in all 23 EU languages or, alternatively, to provide translations upon request.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/11057/html.bookmark