Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and Commission Answers published between 14.06.2026 and 21.06.2026. During this period, 9 new PQs were published and 6 Commission Answers became available. Key themes this week included medical supply chain resilience, healthcare financing and infrastructure, public health prevention, and food safety standards.
❗ EU strategic autonomy and medical countermeasures
in a series of PQs (E-001291/26 from Elena Nevado del Campo, (PPE)), concerns were raised regarding the European Union’s manufacturing capacity for critical medical products and the need for strategic reserves to ensure preparedness for future health crises. In responses published on 15 June 2026, Commissioner Lahbib stated that the Commission is addressing vulnerabilities through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (DG HERA), the new Pharmaceutical Regulation, and the proposed Critical Medicines Act, supported by ongoing funding from Horizon Europe and the proposed European Competitiveness Fund.
❓ Impact of PFAS restrictions on critical medical devices
in a series of PQs (E-002391/2026 from Tomislav Sokol, (PPE)), questions were raised regarding the potential disruption to patient access and healthcare costs if the proposed restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reduces the availability of essential medical technologies like catheters and surgical meshes. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and batch-dependent safety
in a series of PQs (E-002241/2026 from Gerald Hauser, (PfE)), inquiries were made regarding independent assessments and observed variations in suspected adverse reactions between different batches of mRNA vaccines across Member States. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Health-sector preparedness as a component of EU security
in a series of PQs (E-002342/2026 from Aurelijus Veryga, (ECR)), lawmakers asked whether the Commission is considering allowing temporary deviations from fiscal requirements for investments aimed at strengthening health-sector preparedness and resilience for security and defense purposes. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ Cohesion Policy support for rural healthcare in Greece
in a series of PQs (E-001666/26 from unlisted MEP, (unlisted group)), questions were raised regarding EU funding for healthcare infrastructure in rural areas such as the Acheloos Valley. In responses published on 19 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Fitto stated that Cohesion Policy 2021-2027 supports Greek healthcare via the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund Plus, emphasizing that Member States remain responsible for organizing and delivering their health services.
❗ ESF+ funding for access to safe abortion services
in a series of PQs (E-001222/26 from unlisted MEP, (unlisted group), E-000991/26 from unlisted MEP, (unlisted group)), concerns centered on the potential use of the European Social Fund+ (ESF+) to support equal access to legal medical termination of pregnancy following the ‘My Voice, My Choice’ Citizens’ Initiative. In responses published on 15 June 2026, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu stated that while the EU has a supportive competence, Member States may voluntarily use ESF+ funds to improve equal access to legally available and affordable abortion care, provided such use complies with national legislation and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.
❗ EU funding to address demographic challenges and infertility
in a series of PQs (P-001350/26 from unlisted MEP, (unlisted group)), inquiries focused on EU support for reproductive health and access to infertility treatments. In responses published on 18 June 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that Member States can utilize the European Social Fund+ and the European Regional Development Fund for infertility treatments and health infrastructure, alongside additional project funding from the EU4Health and Horizon Europe programs.
❓ Advertising of banned medicinal products on large online platforms
in a series of PQs (E-002337/2026 from Nicolás González Casares, (S&D)), lawmakers addressed the continued promotion of illegal medicinal products on major digital platforms despite content moderation obligations under the Digital Services Act. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Reduced VAT rates for sun cream products
in a series of PQs (P-002514/2026 from Billy Kelleher, (Renew)), questions were raised regarding the potential addition of sun cream to Annex II of the VAT Directive to facilitate skin cancer prevention by lowering the applicable tax rate. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Tobacco industry lobbying regarding the Single-Use Plastics Directive
in a series of PQs (P-002512/2026 from Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, (Renew)), concerns were highlighted about alleged orchestrated lobbying by the tobacco industry through citizen submissions against the regulation of cigarette filters. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Strategic dependency on China for essential vitamins
in a series of PQs (E-002428/2026 from Stefan Köhler, (PPE)), lawmakers addressed the risk of irreversible dependency on China for vitamin imports, warning of potential implications for European food and health security. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❓ Harmonisation of maximum nutrient levels in food supplements
in a series of PQs (E-002331/2026 from Barbara Bonte, (PfE)), inquiries focused on the setting of harmonised maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements and fortified food products, and how consumption variability is considered across population groups. Responses from the Commission are pending.
❗ EFSA safety thresholds for cereulide in infant formula
in a series of PQs (P-000631/26 from unlisted MEP, (unlisted group)), questions focused on the European Food Safety Authority’s assessment of cereulide toxicity levels in infant formula. In responses published on 18 June 2026, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that EFSA delivered an urgent assessment within three days to establish an acute reference dose, prompting immediate product recalls, and noted that discussions with Member States will begin shortly to establish permanent legal limits.
❓ Delay in banning Brazilian meat imports over antimicrobial use
in a series of PQs (E-002388/2026 from Mireia Borrás Pabón, (PfE)), inquiries were made regarding the potential risks to consumer health posed by allowing imports of Brazilian meat treated with prohibited antimicrobials to continue until September 2026. Responses from the Commission are pending.
All Parliamentary Questions and Commission Answers are accessible via Policy-Insider.AI.
