Französische Ratspräsidentschaft will Lebensmittelsicherheit verbessern[en] 

France wants to focus on the areas where the added value of EU-level action is undeniable, said Bachelot, speaking in the House's Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee on 15 July 2008.

"We have ambitious objectives," acknowledged Bachelot, before listing the "five axes of work" on which the Presidency hopes to make a difference.

On food safety, the aim is namely to review member states' progress in areas such their level of preparedness to deal with avian influenza and make sure that reform of the European Food Safety Authority is continued. 

The French Presidency programme  stresses that particular emphasis will be placed "on the problem of food safety, animal health and the protection of plants". The programme includes a progress review on the pesticides package, strengthened food safety controls on imports of agricultural products and reform of animal health policy. 

The healthy ageing priority comprises working together to fight degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, which are set to increase as Europe's population grows older. The Presidency hopes to develop an EU Alzheimer's plan focusing on joint research efforts and improving the quality of life of people with this condition. A special conference on Alzheimer's will take place on 30-31 October.

Regarding the Commission's recent proposal on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare, Bachelot said work had already started last week and the dossier would be the subject of a special ministerial meeting to be held in Paris on 13-14 October.

As for specific health determinants, Bachelot said particular focus would be placed on two lifestyle related determinants: alcohol and tobacco. The Presidency promised to kick-off work on a Commission Communication on smoke-free environments, expected to be adopted this autumn.

The Presidency also plans to make progress on the various pharmaceutical dossiers currently on the EU table as well as the 'Pharmaceuticals Package', expected to be adopted by the Commission in November, added Bachelot. The dossiers include work on pharmacovigilance, information for patients and counterfeit drugs. 

She said counterfeiting would be one of the main issues discussed by an EU pharmaceutical ministerial forum to take place on 2 October. The forum will "take stock of the work done over the past three years" on the three topics of drugs pricing, their relative effectiveness and information for patients.