EU Health Commissioner Resigns

European Union                                                                         

EU Health Commissioner Resigns

European Union Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, 48, resigned yesterday effective immediately to accept appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the new Cyprus government. In his role as EU commissioner, Kyprianou oversaw a broad portfolio of programs roughly equal to the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

During Mr. Kyprianou’s term in office, the United States has been unable to gain EU approval for the export of poultry products to the EU from U.S. plants that use pathogen reduction treatments (PRTs) as a food safety measure. The many obstacles thrown up by European poultry producers to the approval of PRTs have delayed the start of the review process for PRTs for beef. However, last week USDA initiated that process by submitting data to the Commission on the PRTs that are most commonly used in U.S. beef plants. This process will now move forward under Commissioner Kyprianou’s successor.

Androulla Vassiliou, 64, wife of former Cypriot president George Vassiliou, has been appointed to complete the remaining 18 months of Kyprianou’s term as EU commissioner.   Ms. Vassiliou served in Cyprus’ House of Representatives from 1996 to 2006. She practiced law for 20 years prior to her husband’s election to the presidency of Cyprus in 1988.

European Union                                                                         

EU Health Commissioner Resigns

European Union Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, 48, resigned yesterday effective immediately to accept appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the new Cyprus government. In his role as EU commissioner, Kyprianou oversaw a broad portfolio of programs roughly equal to the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

During Mr. Kyprianou’s term in office, the United States has been unable to gain EU approval for the export of poultry products to the EU from U.S. plants that use pathogen reduction treatments (PRTs) as a food safety measure. The many obstacles thrown up by European poultry producers to the approval of PRTs have delayed the start of the review process for PRTs for beef. However, last week USDA initiated that process by submitting data to the Commission on the PRTs that are most commonly used in U.S. beef plants. This process will now move forward under Commissioner Kyprianou’s successor.

Androulla Vassiliou, 64, wife of former Cypriot president George Vassiliou, has been appointed to complete the remaining 18 months of Kyprianou’s term as EU commissioner.   Ms. Vassiliou served in Cyprus’ House of Representatives from 1996 to 2006. She practiced law for 20 years prior to her husband’s election to the presidency of Cyprus in 1988.