Animal Testing Phase-Out, Pesticide Use Reduction & AI Regulation

❗ Medical training requirements and healthcare shortages

In a response published on 7 November 2025 to question P-004116/2025, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu clarified that Directive 2005/36/EC on professional qualifications allows Member States the flexibility to decide where practical medical training is provided, which does not prevent training in geographic areas experiencing healthcare shortages. The Commission noted that various EU funding opportunities, including EU4Health, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and Cohesion Policy funds, are being used to support the upskilling of health professionals and improve healthcare access, particularly through digital transformation and AI in rural and remote areas.

❗ EU strategy on demographic change

Responding to question E-003724/2025, Commissioner Šuica outlined the Commission’s strategy to address demographic challenges in a reply dated 6 November 2025. The ‘Demography Toolbox Communication’ provides a range of policy options and funding opportunities to help Member States adapt their labour markets, social infrastructure, health systems, and long-term care provisions to changing demographics.

❓ Long-term crisis in the Greek national health system

In question E-004260/2025, published on 29 October 2025, Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR) highlighted reports of systemic failures and high rates of unmet medical needs in Greece’s national health system (ESY). The MEP asks the Commission what tools could address these failures, how it intends to monitor the use of EU funds like the RRF in the ESY, and what support instruments are available to ensure reform and quality of services. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Phasing out animal testing for chemical safety

In a response published on 3 November 2025 to question E-003434/2025, Commissioner Várhelyi confirmed the Commission’s ‘Roadmap Towards Phasing Out Animal Testing for Chemical Safety Assessments’. He stated that the recent pharmaceutical reform already requires marketing authorisation applicants to use scientifically satisfactory non-animal testing methods where available. The European Research Area (ERA) will coordinate EU efforts to accelerate these methods, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has already initiated work in this area.

❓ Interoperability of defibrillator electrode connectors

Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (Renew) submitted question E-004232/2025 on 28 October 2025, raising concerns about the lack of interoperability between electrode connectors for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and monitor defibrillators used by ambulance crews and hospitals. The question asks if the Commission is aware of this issue, which can cause critical delays during patient handovers, and whether it plans to collect data on the associated safety risks. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Data protection for recreational genetic testing

In an answer dated 7 November 2025 to question E-003662/2025, Commissioner McGrath stated that companies offering recreational genetic testing services in the EU are bound by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Genetic data is considered a special category of personal data, and its processing requires a valid legal basis. The Commissioner emphasised that monitoring and enforcement of the GDPR fall within the competence of national data protection authorities and courts.

❗ Emotional dependence on AI systems

Executive Vice-President Virkkunen, in a reply on 7 November 2025 to question E-003674/2025, acknowledged the potential consequences of users developing emotional dependence on AI systems. The Commission stated that the AI Act prohibits AI systems that use deceptive techniques to distort human behaviour and also sets transparency obligations for AI systems that interact with people. Additionally, the Digital Services Act (DSA) requires very large online platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks, including those to physical and mental well-being.

❗ Research on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

In a response published on 6 November 2025 to question E-003626/2025, Commissioner Zaharieva confirmed that the Horizon Europe programme has offered funding opportunities for research on ME/CFS. The Commission also highlighted that the European Health Data Space could provide a framework for harmonising data on such disorders. Regarding medical education, the Commission encourages but does not prescribe curriculum content, respecting the academic freedom of Member States’ higher education institutions.

❓ VAT on essential goods for disabled persons

Lynn Boylan (The Left) asked in question E-004259/2025, published on 29 October 2025, for clarification on the EU VAT Directive. The question seeks to confirm whether Member States can apply reduced or exempt VAT rates on non-medical aids, appliances, and assistive technology for people who are blind or partially sighted, under the category of ‘goods essential to compensate and overcome disability’. A response from the Commission is pending.

❓ Transparency of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan funding

In question E-004037/2025, published on 15 October 2025, Romana Jerković (S&D) requested detailed information on the use of the EUR 4 billion allocated to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The MEP asks for a breakdown by Member State of the EU cancer-related funding requested, allocated, and used by national or regional public authorities, as well as the current status of the funded projects. A response from the Commission is pending.

❗ Industrial emissions and health assessments at Taranto steel plant

In a reply dated 4 November 2025 to question E-003520/2025 from Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE) and others, Commissioner Roswall addressed compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). The Commission cited a recent Court of Justice ruling that requires a comprehensive and prior assessment of a plant’s effects on human health and the environment before a permit is granted or reconsidered. The Commission confirmed it is currently assessing the conformity of both Italian legislation and the specific permit granted to the Taranto steel plant with EU law.

❗ Ban on antimicrobials in imported veterinary products

Commissioner Várhelyi, in a response on 3 November 2025 to question E-003248/2025, explained that enforcing the ban on certain uses of antimicrobials in imported goods required significant legal adaptations, causing a delay. The EU has set a deadline of September 2026 to allow trade partners sufficient time to meet the new requirements. The Commissioner stressed that EU sanitary and phytosanitary standards are non-negotiable and apply to all imported products, regardless of other trade agreements.

❗ Reducing pesticide use

In an answer published on 3 November 2025 to question E-003533/2025, Commissioner Várhelyi stated that while the legislative proposal on the sustainable use of plant protection products was withdrawn, the Commission remains focused on implementing the existing Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive. He noted that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Horizon Europe programme provide a range of tools and funding to support the reduction of pesticide use and the development of alternatives.

❓ Clarifications on the restriction of lead in shot

Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE) submitted question E-004252/2025 on 29 October 2025, requesting clarifications on a draft regulation under REACH concerning lead in shot used for sports shooting. The MEP asks if site-specific containment measures can be considered and if the mandatory recovery of spent lead shot could be limited to cases where it is economically viable. A response from the Commission is pending.

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