đź“‘ Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published between 10.05.2026 and 17.05.2026. During this period, 4 new PQs were published and 10 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included food safety and agricultural imports, health workforce shortages and waiting times, public health prevention strategies, and medicines regulation.
âť— Safety of Brazilian beef imports and oestradiol contamination
In a series of PQs (E-000884/26 from Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR), E-000726/26 from Sander Smit (PPE) and Jessika Van Leeuwen (PPE)), Members raised concerns regarding the detection of the prohibited hormone 17β-oestradiol in beef imported from Brazil, questioning the effectiveness of export certification, the delay in issuing a Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notification, and the absence of an immediate import ban. In responses published on 11 May 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the RASFF notification was based on Commission audit findings and allowed immediate follow-up by Member States, leading to the withdrawal of affected consignments. He noted that Brazil suspended the non-compliant farm and the associated certification body, and confirmed that the EU plans to increase audits of exporting countries by 50% over the next two years.
âť“ Systemic food safety controls and BSE surveillance
In a series of PQs (E-001772/2026 from Emil Radev (PPE), P-001849/2026 from Biljana Borzan (S&D)), lawmakers questioned the effectiveness of EU-level mechanisms for controlling food imports following recurring RASFF alerts for non-compliant pesticide levels and food fraud, and sought clarification on proposed changes to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) rules in the food and feed safety omnibus ahead of pending European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) scientific opinions. Responses from the Commission are pending.
âť— Proposed universal PFAS restriction under REACH
In a PQ (P-001351/26), inquiries were made regarding the proposed universal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) restriction. In a response published on 11 May 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that the Commission will not prepare a new legislative proposal but will present a draft Commission Regulation to the REACH Committee based on the final opinions of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the restriction dossier, without conducting further public consultations or impact assessments.
âť— Healthcare staff shortages and waiting times in Italy and Greece
In a series of PQs (E-000983/26 from Giuseppe Antoci (The Left), E-001087/26 from Galato Alexandraki (ECR)), Members highlighted severe staff shortages and long waiting times for treatment in Sicily and Greece, questioning what EU-level support and coordination tools could be strengthened. In responses published on 11 May 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi confirmed that while the organisation of health services remains a Member State responsibility and the Commission does not plan to establish standards for monitoring waiting times, it provides support through EU4Health projects, the European Semester framework, and funding opportunities like the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
âť“ Exhausting on-call shifts for healthcare workers in Greece
In a PQ (E-001778/2026 from Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left)), a Member raised concerns about the practice of consecutive 24-hour on-call shifts in the Greek National Health Service, questioning its compliance with EU law (Directive 2003/88/EC) and the risks posed to staff and patient safety. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Revision of the Tobacco Products Directive and Sweden’s snus exemption
In a PQ (E-000910/26 from Jessica Polfjärd (PPE)), the Commission was asked whether updated rules for tobacco products would include nicotine pouches and preserve Sweden’s snus exemption. In a response published on 13 May 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission intends to propose a revision of the legislative framework on tobacco control in 2026 and will carry out an impact assessment, maintaining an evidence-based approach to ensure the highest standard of health protection.
âť— Addressing the hearing-care gap and dementia prevention
In a PQ (E-000907/26 from Günther Sidl (S&D)), concerns were raised about the fragmentation of hearing-care policies across Member States and the need for a European Hearing Health Strategy to harmonise access to medical innovations like cochlear implants. In a response published on 13 May 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that the Commission supports Member States through the Healthier Together EU non-communicable diseases initiative, funding collaborative projects on dementia via EU4Health, and backing research in audio-based diagnostics under Horizon 2020.
❓ Strengthening Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
In a PQ (E-001810/2026 from Cynthia Nà Mhurchú (Renew)), the Commission was asked if it will support shifting Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan from an implementation-based to an outcome-based policy, improving patient access, and ensuring stronger patient involvement across all EU frameworks. A response from the Commission is pending.
âť— Scientific advice on ultra-processed foods
In a PQ (E-000964/26), inquiries focused on the upcoming study regarding ultra-processed foods. In a response published on 12 May 2026, Commissioner Zaharieva stated that the study will rely on opinions from the Scientific Advice Mechanism and the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies, supported by Horizon Europe-funded projects, with strict measures in place to prevent undue lobbying.
âť— Support for the My Voice, My Choice initiative and healthcare access
In a PQ (E-000990/26), questions were raised regarding the Commission’s follow-up to the My Voice, My Choice citizens’ initiative on access to abortion care. In a response published on 15 May 2026, Commissioner Lahbib stated that the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) can support national initiatives aiming to enhance equal and timely access to healthcare services, noting that medical termination of pregnancy constitutes a service within the meaning of Article 57 TFEU, while emphasizing that Member States define their specific objectives for ESF+ funding.
âť— Unitary patent system uptake and SPC reform negotiations
In a PQ (E-001002/26), the Commission was asked about the unitary patent system and the reform of supplementary protection certificates (SPCs). In a response published on 15 May 2026, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated that the Commission continues to urge the remaining nine Member States to join the unitary patent system and intends to deliver a report on its functioning in 2026, while actively supporting the Council in ongoing negotiations to deliver an effective and legally sound SPC system.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
