30 September 2009, European Parliament

The CIAA annual reception in the European Parliament has established itself over the years as one of the best and most popular of its kind and the September 2009 event was no exception.

CIAA was honoured to have Mrs Dagmar Roth-Behrendt MEP, Vice-President of the Parliament, as host for the evening.  She opened the reception by giving some of her thoughts on the various food industry related issues currently going through the Parliament, including the revision of the novel foods legislation and food labelling.

CIAA’s President, Jesús Serafín Pérez, then set out the industry’s recommendations to boost the competitiveness of the sector and asked MEPs to help contribute to furthering the competitiveness of the EU economy and to ensuring a legislative environment that is conducive to increased growth and employment.  Around 200 people attended, including over 40 MEPs from across the national and political spectrum, as well as assistants, political group staff and officials from the Council and Commission, who came along to exchange views with representatives from the European food industry.

The event provided an ideal opportunity to meet with MEPs following the elections and to debate the many issues that will be on the EP agenda over the coming months.