EU health ministers in Riga call for common policy

The European Union (EU) needs a common policy framework for tackling nutrition and alcohol-related issues, the bloc's health ministers agreed at an informal meeting here this week.

The informal two-day ministerial talks, which ended Tuesday, dealt with various factors affecting public health, the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU, which hosted the meeting, said on its website.

"Health care issues in the European Union are certainly a national competence. At the same time, it is our duty and challenge to jointly strengthen and harmonize key factors affecting public health. Better health and quality of life is the common goal to be achieved by European countries, which can set an example for the rest of the world," said Latvian Health Minister Guntis Belevics.

Asserting the importance of the EU Alcohol Strategy's priorities - pricing and tax measures, marketing and restrictions on the availability of alcoholic beverages, legal measures to reduce drunk driving, and raising public awareness - the EU health ministers also discussed the need for a new policy framework that would reduce the harmful effects of alcohol and the bloc's role in developing an international alcohol standard.

The informal talks of the EU ministers also focused on the bloc's nutrition policy and the need for a common framework to cut trans-fatty acids and sugar in food products. It was noted that more scientific research was needed in order to determine the effects of food additives on human health.

The EU's nutrition and food policies should be designed to protect public health and promote healthy eating on a daily basis, participants of the ministerial meeting agreed.