Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published between 07.06.2026 and 14.06.2026. During this period, 16 new PQs were published and 3 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included tobacco and vaping regulation, pesticide residues in imported foods, health system sustainability, environmental health impacts, and medicine packaging.
❓ Revision of the Tobacco Products Directive and novel nicotine products
In a series of PQs (E-002219/2026 from Nicolás González Casares, (S&D), E-002256/2026 from Christel Schaldemose, (S&D)), lawmakers pressed the Commission on the rising health risks associated with vaping and novel nicotine products among youth. The questions urge the establishment of an EU-wide adverse effects registry for vaping products and seek clarification on how the upcoming revision of the Tobacco Products Directive will address new nicotine products, protect young people from targeted marketing, and prevent tobacco industry interference. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Potential link between mRNA vaccines and cancer diagnoses
In a series of PQs (E-002252/2026 from Nikolaos Anadiotis, (NI)), concerns were raised regarding the reported increase in new cancer diagnoses in Greece between 2020 and 2024. The MEP questioned whether the Commission is aware of studies suggesting a potential association between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and various malignancies, and asked if an investigation into a causal link is planned. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Institutional nutrition governance and the Healthy Meal Standard
In a series of PQs (E-002230/2026 from Biljana Borzan, (S&D)), the Commission was asked about the relevance of voluntary operational tools like the Healthy Meal Standard (HMS) for institutional nutrition governance. The inquiry focuses on whether such governance-based implementation models could be recognized as good practices to support consumer protection and child health without adding regulatory burdens. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Strategies to combat period and menopause poverty
In a series of PQs (E-002195/2026 from Gabriela Firea, (S&D)), the Commission was questioned on concrete measures to combat period and menopause poverty across the EU, particularly in Member States facing budgetary pressures. The inquiry asks if the Commission intends to offer targeted financial support, such as through the ESF+, to provide free personal hygiene products in educational institutions and how it will monitor the social impact of these issues on women’s health and workforce participation. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Pesticide residues in imported agricultural products
In a series of PQs (E-002272/2026 from Anna Maria Cisint, (PfE), E-001883/2026 from Jadwiga Wiśniewska, (ECR)), MEPs raised alarms over the presence of banned pesticide residues in imported foods, such as Thai rice and various fruits, highlighting the competitive disadvantage for EU farmers and risks to consumer safety. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Safety of imazalil residues in citrus fruits
In a series of PQs (E-001266/2026), inquiries were made regarding maximum residue levels for pesticides. In responses published on 10.06.2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that EFSA data confirms food available to EU consumers remains safe, noting that only 1.8% of sampled products were non-compliant and triggered enforcement actions. The Commissioner also confirmed that new draft regulations reviewing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for substances like imazalil are currently under discussion with Member States.
❓ Strengthening global health resilience in partner countries
In a series of PQs (O-000027/2026 from Barry Andrews, (Committee on Development)), the Commission was asked to detail its implementation plan for the global health resilience initiative amidst global public health funding cuts. The questions cover capacity building, countering health disinformation, addressing gender disparities in healthcare, and ensuring policy coherence across trade and intellectual property to support equitable access to health technologies in partner countries. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Air quality around schools and sustainable mobility
In a series of PQs (E-002282/2026 from César Luena, (S&D)), concerns were raised regarding high NO2 pollution levels around schools in Logroño, Spain, compounded by the local removal of sustainable mobility infrastructure. The Commission was asked to evaluate these actions against new European air quality objectives and outline measures to foster healthy environments around educational facilities. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Environmental and health effects of microplastics from wind turbines
In a series of PQs (E-002323/2026 from Gerald Hauser, (PfE)), the Commission was questioned on the environmental and health impacts of microplastics shed by wind turbine blades. The MEP inquired how the mass expansion of wind energy aligns with the EU’s 2050 zero pollution target and whether public health is being prioritized over the narrative of safe wind power. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ EU support for healthcare systems in outermost regions
In a series of PQs (E-002261/2026 from Sérgio Gonçalves, (S&D)), the Commission was asked to assess the implementation of health-related measures outlined in the 2022 strategy for the EU’s outermost regions. The inquiry seeks clarity on current healthcare access, medical capacity, and whether the forthcoming renewed strategy will include further support for these vulnerable healthcare systems. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Primary health care funding and privatization in Greece
In a series of PQs (E-002200/2026 from Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, (NI)), concerns were raised about the understaffing and degradation of public primary health care in Greece. The MEP questioned the Commission’s stance on utilizing NextGenerationEU funds for energy upgrades of health centers that allegedly subsidize construction groups rather than addressing staff shortages, and criticized the high out-of-pocket health expenditure borne by citizens. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Recognition of midwives’ professional qualifications
In a series of PQs (E-002276/2026 from Marcin Sypniewski, (ESN)), the Commission was asked if it would consider amending Directive 2005/36/EC to introduce a shortened training route allowing midwives to obtain general nursing qualifications. The inquiry highlights the closure of obstetric units in Poland alongside chronic nursing shortages, urging action to facilitate the recognition of partial qualifications to improve professional mobility. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Recognition of occupational cancer in firefighters
In a series of PQs (E-002288/2026 from Afroditi Latinopoulou, (PfE)), the Commission was urged to update the European list of occupational diseases to recognize cancers associated with the firefighting profession, following the IARC’s classification of the occupation as carcinogenic. The MEP asked if the Commission intends to propose guidelines for the prevention, monitoring, and compensation of occupational malignancies among firefighters. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Access to healthcare for persons with disabilities
In a series of PQs (E-000980/2026), the Commission was questioned on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In responses published on 09.06.2026, Commissioner Lahbib stated that an EU4Health-funded project has produced guidelines on improving access to care for people with disabilities. While the Disability Platform facilitates the sharing of good practices among Member States and civil society, the Commissioner emphasized that the implementation of these guidelines and the management of health services remain the responsibility of individual Member States.
❗ Strengthening health systems through the European Competitiveness Fund
In a series of PQs (E-001241/2026), inquiries were made regarding the allocation of EU funds for systemic resilience. In responses published on 08.06.2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that the proposed European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) will aim to strengthen the efficiency, innovation, and resilience of national health systems. The Commissioner noted that Member States can leverage national and regional partnership plans to improve access to healthcare services and infrastructure alongside broader digital and energy transition goals.
❓ Review of compulsory licensing for pharmaceutical products
In a series of PQs (E-002234/2026 from Lynn Boylan, (The Left)), the Commission was asked to provide a timeline for the review of Regulation (EC) No 816/2006 concerning the compulsory licensing of patents for pharmaceutical products exported to countries with public health problems. The MEP requested details on whether the review will involve civil society consultations to understand why the regulation remains unutilized and if legislative amendments will be proposed. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Transition away from PVC in medicinal product packaging
In a series of PQs (E-002296/2026 from Krzysztof Śmiszek, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Robert Biedroń, (S&D)), the Commission was asked about legislative plans to phase out polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in medicine packaging in favor of recyclable alternatives. The MEPs also inquired whether the Commission, alongside the EMA, intends to simplify registration procedures for manufacturers adopting greener packaging and if EU financial support will be provided for innovative packaging technologies. Responses from the Commission are pending.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
