Mr. Várhelyi has previously managed Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy for five years.Continue reading
Olivér Várhelyi, Hungary’s EU Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare, recently participated in a hearing before the European Parliament’s competent committees.
The hearing focused on his priorities, including the EU’s pharmaceutical production, public health, and food safety standards.
Mr. Várhelyi proposed bringing pharmaceutical production back to Europe, citing the vulnerability exposed during the COVID pandemic.
The smaller the market, the more difficult access becomes,” he said, emphasizing the importance of legislation to secure critical medicine supplies.
He also addressed vaccines, calling them essential for public health. “Without vaccines, our already short lives would be even shorter,” he remarked, adding that their availability significantly shortened epidemic response times in Europe. On cardiovascular health, the politician highlighted the need for more focus on prevention, stating, “It is very important that this area receives at least as much attention as the fight against cancer.”
Olivér Várhelyi. Photo: MTI / Purger Tamás
Regarding food safety, Olivér Várhelyi advocated for stricter controls on food imports from non-EU countries, ensuring that they meet EU standards.
We want to ensure that all rules are respected for imported food,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of improving animal welfare with the abolition of cage farming, working closely with farmers for practical solutions.
Via MTI; Featured Image:Facebook / Szijjártó Péter