Minister for Foreign Trade Jari Vilén: Establishment of the European Food Safety Agency is excellent for Finland

Decision on the placement of the EU's European Food Safety Agency was a victory for Finland, said Minister for Foreign Trade Jari Vilén. The agency, currently employing 50 officials, had come into preliminary operation in Brussels due to the prolonged disagreement on its location. The placement of the agency in Helsinki has had the support of 14 member states and it has been promoted by both politicians and officials. "This result is a happy ending to a persistent negotiating process", Vilén said. Finland is ready to host
the EU agency that may in the future employ up to 200 people.

The Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen and the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi agreed on Thursday that the European Food Safety Agency will be located in Finland. Italy would get her own separate agency in Parma. The Italian agency would cover the protection of designations and certificates of the origin of agricultural products within the EU and the promotion of gastronomic culture. Italy hopes that the matter can be agreed upon during the Greek Presidency and this, in Vilén's view, is a good objective.

Minister Vilén also noted that it would be important for the food agency to be located in Finland because there is currently no EU agency in Finland.

Minister Vilén has also earlier discussed the rationalization of functions. The compromise found now is in Vilén's opinion very good.


Additional information: assistant Ukko Metsola 040 751 5173.