Question for written answer E-000168/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left)

Food safety is a top priority for the EU, since it is directly linked with public health and consumer protection. In recent years, however, serious concerns have arisen about the frequency and seriousness of the regulatory infringements that have been observed in foods originating from various countries, including Türkiye. In particular, according to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), there have been increasing numbers of infringements of Community legislation in food imports from Türkiye, which suggests a systemic problem linked with Türkiye's non-compliance with EU food safety standards.

Furthermore, these infringements undermine the reliability of trade relations between the EU and Türkiye, since the latter benefits from the Customs Union and its status as a candidate country without honouring the required commitments. At the same time, European farmers are faced with unfair competition, because Turkish products are entering the European market without meeting the strict regulatory standards that apply to EU products.

In view of this:

• 1.How does the Commission intend to ensure Türkiye's compliance with EU food safety standards, especially in the context of the Customs Union and its status as a candidate country?
• 2.What measures does the Commission intend to take to protect European and Greek farmers from the unfair competition arising from these systemic infringements and Türkiye's inadequate regulatory oversight?

Submitted: 16.1.2025