Nitazene Overdoses, New Genomic Techniques & Cancer Screening

❓ The availability of Teplizumab for type 1 diabetes patients

In E-004571/2025, published on 2 December 2025, Giuseppe Antoci (The Left) highlights regional inequalities in access to Teplizumab, a newly authorised immunotherapy to delay type 1 diabetes, particularly in Italian regions like Sicily and Sardinia. The MEP asks what steps the Commission will take via the EU4Health programme to reduce disparities, whether it will propose dedicated funding for diabetes research in the next MFF, and how it will support the creation of databases to mitigate unequal access to innovative technologies. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Relevance of biocides for farmers

Published on 2 December 2025, E-003895/2025 from Barbara Bonte (PfE) challenges a statement from DG SANTE that biocides are not relevant to agriculture. The MEP highlights their essential use on farms for disinfection and pest control and asks for the basis of the statement, as well as what measures are being taken to ensure affordable and safe biocides for farmers, particularly regarding the authorisation of generic products. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Toothpastes with fluoro-calcium-phosphosilicate and potential regulatory burdens

Christine Anderson (ESN) submitted E-004584/2025, published on 2 December 2025, regarding the toothpaste BioMin F, which uses fluoro-calcium-phosphosilicate (FCPS) as an active ingredient and has faced supply disruptions in the EU due to ‘regulatory updates’. The question asks if the Commission is aware of market access issues for FCPS-based products, what measures it is taking to assess the impact of the Medical Device Regulation on innovative oral-care devices, and whether any Member States have reported safety concerns. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Recognition of healthcare professions

In E-004200/25, Elena Nevado del Campo (PPE) and Pablo Arias Echeverría (PPE) asked about the harmonisation and recognition of healthcare professions like chiropractic, which are not uniformly regulated across the EU. In a response published on 5 December 2025, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that while regulating professions is a Member State competence, the Commission is working to remove barriers. Under the Union of Skills, the Skills Portability Initiative aims to modernise recognition processes, and the Commission is exploring which other regulated healthcare professions could benefit from automatic recognition through Common Training Frameworks under the Professional Qualifications Directive.

❓ Irregularities in breast cancer screening programmes in Spain

Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE) raised concerns in E-004694/2025, published on 4 December 2025, about serious irregularities in the management and reporting of breast cancer screening programmes in Spain, particularly in Andalusia. The MEP questions the use of EU funds (ERDF/REACT-EU) for mammography equipment and asks if the Commission plans a specific audit, will request Spain to publish harmonised screening data, and will clarify if the investments align with the requirement for a transparent screening programme. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Early diagnosis and treatment of uterine fibroids in Europe

Published on 4 December 2025, E-004732/2025 from Elena Nevado del Campo (PPE) addresses the significant impact of uterine fibroids on women’s health and productivity, noting that diagnosis is often delayed. The MEP asks if the Commission has assessed the economic, employment, and social impact of fibroids and what actions it intends to take to improve their diagnosis and treatment. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Incidents of school violence and cyberbullying

Nikos Pappas (The Left) asked in E-003682/25 about the Commission’s plans to support Member States in tackling school bullying and cyberbullying, particularly in ensuring equal access to prevention tools in rural or less developed areas. In a response published on 2 December 2025, Commissioner Micallef confirmed that protecting children online is a top priority. He highlighted the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Better Internet for Kids+ Strategy, and an upcoming EU Action Plan against Cyberbullying. The Commission supports Member States through guidelines, co-funding Safer Internet Centres, and programmes like Erasmus+ and CERV, which are EU-wide and adaptable to various settings.

❗ Contraceptives intended for humanitarian aid

In E-003568/25, Emma Fourreau (The Left) raised concerns about the Trump administration’s order to destroy contraceptives stored in the EU and intended for humanitarian aid. In a response published on 1 December 2025, Commissioner Lahbib stated that preventing the destruction of these goods is a national competency but the Commission is monitoring the matter with Belgian and French authorities. The Commission reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights through its external and humanitarian policies, including the Gender Action Plan and the EU Global Health Strategy.

❗ Review of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions

A question was submitted regarding the Commission’s review of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions for proportionality and effectiveness. In an answer published on 3 December 2025 for E-003592/25, Commissioner McGrath clarified that while the organisation of healthcare services is a Member State competence, the Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have indeed reviewed pandemic restrictions for proportionality, effectiveness, and social impact, contrary to the statement in the question. The response emphasized that emergency measures must respect fundamental principles and be limited, proportionate, and time-restricted.

❓ Italy’s nitazene overdose case and Europe’s early warning system

Giuseppe Antoci (The Left) submitted E-004362/2025, published on 2 December 2025, following the first nitazene-related death in Italy and the growing number of overdoses across Europe. The MEP asks what measures are in place to speed up the process of determining nitazene-related deaths and how the Commission’s proposal for Union support for internal security will address threats from online marketplaces, strengthen forensic capabilities, and improve checks on small packages. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Classification of processed meat by cancer risk

In E-004482/2025, published on 2 December 2025, Sebastian Everding (The Left) notes that the WHO classifies processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen. The MEP asks how the Commission ensures consumers are adequately informed of the risks, whether it plans further research on the health effects of meat consumption, and how it plans to improve consumer protection against carcinogenic substances through better labelling and risk warnings. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Recommendation on harmful practices against women and girls

A cross-party group of MEPs led by Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE) asked in E-004697/2025, published on 5 December 2025, about the delayed Commission recommendation on the prevention of harmful practices. They question if the recommendation will be adopted by the end of 2025 and if it will comprehensively address issues like intersex genital mutilation, forced sterilisation of transgender people, and obstetric violence. They also ask what the Commission will do to address these human rights violations if the recommendation is not adopted. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Establishing an ambitious EU framework to combat ageism

Published on 2 December 2025, E-004718/2025 from Benoit Cassart (Renew) points out that while EU legislation protects against ageism in employment, there is no comprehensive framework covering other areas like healthcare and access to services. The MEP asks if the Commission intends to put forward a comprehensive EU action plan against ageism, and if so, what the timeframe and priorities would be. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Strengthening protection against age discrimination beyond the labour market

In a related question, E-004719/2025, also published on 2 December 2025, Benoit Cassart (Renew) asks if the Commission intends to extend the EU legal framework to ensure effective protection against age discrimination in all areas of social and economic life, specifically by proposing legislation covering access to goods and services. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ EU Organic Regulation and the classification of salt

A group of MEPs led by Stefan Köhler (PPE) submitted E-004724/2025, published on 5 December 2025, regarding the classification of salt under the EU Organic Regulation. Recalling Parliament’s 2023 veto of a delegated act on ‘organic salt’, the MEPs ask if the Commission will propose deleting salt from the regulation’s annex, how it justifies including an inorganic mineral in an agricultural regulation, and whether it has assessed the potential for consumer confusion and undermining public health campaigns. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Creating a European network of AI-powered advanced screening centres

Olivier Chastel (Renew) asked in E-004022/25 about the creation of a European network of AI-powered advanced screening centres announced by President von der Leyen. In a response published on 1 December 2025, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen explained that this is a flagship initiative under the Apply AI Strategy. It will be an open network of medical centres supported by the Digital Europe Programme and EU4Health. The network will collaborate with European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), and all AI systems must comply with the AI Act. Data sharing will adhere to GDPR, with the future European Health Data Space providing a secure infrastructure.

❗ Access to emergency services with 4G and 5G networks

In response to a question on ensuring access to emergency services during the migration to 4G and 5G networks, the Commission provided an answer for E-003985/25, published on 3 December 2025. Executive Vice-President Virkkunen confirmed that under the European Electronic Communications Code, Member States must ensure all number-based interpersonal communications services provide access to emergency services, including in roaming conditions. The Commission is aware of risks that certain technical implementations (S8HR) pose to this access and is in contact with national authorities and operators to find a solution.

❗ Discriminatory tendering for medical gloves and EU health preparedness

In E-003589/25, Kristian Vigenin (S&D) questioned the inconsistent treatment of Chinese medical gloves in EU public tenders, asking why they are permitted in single-product tenders but excluded from multi-product bundles. In a response published on 2 December 2025, Commissioner Šefčovič clarified that the International Procurement Instrument (IPI) measure restricting Chinese medical devices applies to all procurement procedures with a value over €5 million, based on the main Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) code, and does not distinguish between single-product and multi-product tenders. He added that the Commission is preparing a revision of the public procurement framework that will consider resilience and affordability.

❗ Radioactivity monitoring of international waters

In response to a question about monitoring radioactivity from a sunken submarine, the Commission published an answer for E-002885/25 on 28 November 2025. Commissioner Jørgensen stated that the Commission’s mandate under the Euratom Treaty does not extend to monitoring international waters. Its authority is limited to verifying Member States’ monitoring facilities on EU territory. The Commission will continue to ensure Member States comply with EU law on marine pollution and the safe management of radioactive waste.

❗ Protection from unfairly traded imports and toxic materials

In an answer published on 5 December 2025 for E-003883/25, Commissioner Šefčovič addressed concerns about unfairly traded imports. He stated that the EU has robust trade defence measures and that all products on the EU market must comply with legislation, including REACH. Enforcement is a Member State responsibility, but the Commission cooperates with national authorities. Any evidence of prohibited materials, such as toxic paints on imported goods, should be reported to competent market surveillance and customs authorities.

❓ New genomic techniques in agriculture and institutional safeguards

Published on 4 December 2025, E-004729/2025 from Galato Alexandraki (ECR) raises concerns about the safety, environmental impact, and sustainability of new genomic techniques (NGTs). The MEP asks how the Commission will ensure NGTs do not disrupt ecosystems or create farmer dependency on patented seeds, and when a comprehensive legislative framework with full risk assessment and institutional safeguards will be developed. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Concerns regarding geoengineering and Stardust Solutions

Barbara Bonte (PfE) raised concerns in E-004704/2025, published on 2 December 2025, about the geoengineering start-up Stardust Solutions, which is developing technology to inject reflective particles into the stratosphere. The MEP asks if the Commission is aware of the company’s plans, if it has performed a risk assessment on the environmental and public health repercussions, and if it acknowledges the potential for geopolitical disorder from such technologies. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Preserving the Water Framework Directive’s integrity

A group of MEPs led by Michal Wiezik (Renew) submitted E-004682/2025, published on 5 December 2025, regarding the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Noting that implementation is lagging, they ask how the Commission will ensure regulatory simplification does not weaken key principles of the WFD, whether it will guarantee the WFD’s exclusion from any omnibus package, and what measures it will take to strengthen implementation and enforcement as called for by the Council. A response from the Commission is pending.

All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.