John DALLI
Health and Consumer Policy

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Dalli clearly impressed MEP's, many of whom were waiting for someone to turn up with a clear vision and agenda. He made it clear that his priorities were the interests of citizens and he showed that he had the toughness required to tackle both industry and criminals. He said that his aim is to "empower the consumer" saying that "must be informed, so they can decide for themselves what is good or bad for them". He was pragmatic on how to achieve his ambitions. On the pharma package, he wanted to move very quickly on the non-controversial parts of the pharmaceutical package, including the proposals on falsified medicinal products and pharmacovigilance. He said counterfeit medicines are "not only a danger to consumers but also to innovation," adding that he will "work hard to make sure that the same controls which apply to the offline world also apply to the online one." The controversial part of the package, on information to patients, would have to be reassessed to "bring more patient perspective in the proposal". He did promised a reassessment of the draft directive, noting "there might be a harder demarcation between industry and advertising", something MEP's feel very strongly about.

On the cross-border healthcare, he would meet the Spanish health minister to "chart out a way on which understanding can be reached". Questioned on the suspected fragmentation of consumer protection rights in the new portfolios, Dalli pledged that "I am the consumer's guardian in the college". Dagmar Roth-Berendt (S&D) asked him to take up the fight against the member states that are reluctant to have an EU law on cross-border health care, asking, "Will you force them and kick them when this is needed?" Dalli replied, "I will be strong".

He had also briefed himself on the more controversial aspects of his job, but didn't want to announce anything specific on contentious areas like cloning, where he said hoped "that within one year we can come up with a report on how to tackle the cloning issue", which he would present to parliament. GMO's were another touchy issue, and he was cautious, stating that "the basis of our decisions is science", but that it would be "extra important to ensure that the advice given is independent". However, he was clear on animal hormones, stating that "Animals treated with hormones are not allowed to be imported to the EU" and he "would defend this position internationally".

He also pledged action on health determinants, such as obesity alcohol abuse and smoking and he thought the answer was in education, "Five years from here, I want to be remembered as the commissioner who brought the debate on a healthy lifestyle to the schools." He also said that education should start at the earliest possible age. By the end of the meeting Dalli had charmed the meeting and showed that a small island could produce politicians who could fill a large role in European politics and he won plaudits from MEP's across the political spectrum