This report summarises parliamentary questions submitted between 8 and 14 September 2025. Key themes addressed by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) include a significant focus on public health, particularly tobacco control and food safety. Other prominent topics include patient access to medicines, the cybersecurity of healthcare systems, environmental health risks, and the implementation of various EU regulations. Of the 20 questions covered in this period, 16 have received a response from the European Commission, while 4 remain pending.
Tobacco Control
❗ Commission Addresses Youth Vaping and Tobacco Directive Revision
In PQ E-002392/25, Nicolás González Casares (S&D) on 13 June 2025 questioned the Commission on the risks of delaying the new Tobacco Directive, its plans to incorporate new marketing routes for products like e-cigarettes, and any ongoing studies on youth consumption patterns. In a response on 12 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi acknowledged the challenges of new marketing forms targeting young people and confirmed the Commission is actively monitoring consumption patterns through various sources, including Eurobarometer surveys and studies under the EU4Health programme. He stated that the next steps depend on the findings of the ongoing, complex evaluation of the tobacco-control framework.
❗ Commission Clarifies Stance on New Tobacco and Nicotine Products
Following a statement by the Commissioner for health, a question was raised regarding the assertion that new tobacco and nicotine products pose health risks comparable to traditional ones. In response to PQ E-003099/25 on 11 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi clarified that the statement was made in the context of the revised Tobacco Taxation Directive proposal. He confirmed it is the Commission’s official position that there are no safe levels of tobacco or nicotine consumption and that new products like heated tobacco, e-cigarettes, and nicotine pouches have increasing popularity among young people. The Commission aims to harmonise tax rules and introduce minimum rates for these products to reduce their attractiveness.
❗ Swedish Snus Exempt from New Tobacco Tax Harmonisation
Charlie Weimers, Dick Erixon, and Beatrice Timgren (ECR) submitted PQ E-003037/25 on 22 July 2025, raising concerns that a new EU tax on tobacco could encompass Swedish oral tobacco (snus) and potentially lead to increased use of more harmful products. In a reply on 12 September 2025, Commissioner Hoekstra clarified that the proposed Tobacco Excise Duty Own Resource (TEDOR) is a revenue source, not a tax, and does not define the scope of tobacco taxation. He noted that the parallel proposal to revise the Tobacco Taxation Directive will not harmonise taxation rules on snus, acknowledging Sweden’s existing exemption from the EU-wide ban on placing snus on the market.
❗ Commission Addresses Tobacco Directive’s Impact on Outermost Regions
In PQ E-002784/25 submitted on 9 July 2025, Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE) highlighted concerns from economic actors in Réunion that the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive could harm local producers and encourage smuggling. She asked if the revision would account for the economic realities of outermost regions. Commissioner Várhelyi responded on 12 September 2025, stating that the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the directive. He assured that the Commission will publish the evaluation’s Staff Working Document upon completion and that its impact assessments always comply with Better Regulation requirements to provide a balanced analysis of potential impacts on all relevant stakeholders.
Food Safety & Standards
❗ Commission Outlines Approach to Microplastics in Food Chain
Daniel Buda (PPE) on 15 July 2025 submitted PQ E-002878/25, asking about the Commission’s actions to monitor and limit microplastics in the food chain and its cooperation with third countries to prevent contamination. Commissioner Várhelyi, in a 12 September 2025 response, explained that a full safety risk assessment is hampered by a lack of standardised analytical methods. He noted the Commission is funding research under Horizon 2020 to address this gap. Once suitable methods are available, the Commission may recommend monitoring. He also highlighted that the Commission promotes adequate waste management in third countries and is working towards an ambitious global treaty to fight plastic pollution.
❗ Commission Defends Animal Welfare Standards for Ukrainian Poultry Imports
In PQ E-002989/25, Mathilde Androuët (PfE) on 17 July 2025 questioned the volume of Ukrainian poultry imports and whether they comply with EU animal welfare standards, suggesting a risk of ethical and economic dumping. Commissioner Hansen responded on 8 September 2025, clarifying that 2024 import volumes remained below the emergency brake threshold. He stated that while current EU directives on farm conditions do not require equivalency for imports, Ukraine has committed to aligning its legislation with a number of EU agri-food standards, including animal welfare, by the end of 2028 as part of the EU-Ukraine DCFTA review.
❗ Counterfeiting of Products with Geographical Indications Under Scrutiny
Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE) asked in PQ E-002869/25 on 14 July 2025 how the Commission intends to tackle the misuse of geographical indications (GIs) and the import of counterfeit products like olive oil and alcoholic beverages. Responding on 12 September 2025, Commissioner Hansen pointed to Regulation (EU) 2024/1143 as a robust framework for protecting GIs, which also applies to goods sold via e-commerce. He emphasized that while enforcement lies with Member States, the Commission coordinates efforts, shares best practices, and engages with international partners through trade agreements. He also cited a 2024 Europol operation that seized €91 million worth of counterfeit food.
❗ Commission Explores Virtual Stockpiles and Food Bank Links for Food Security
Eric Sargiacomo (S&D) on 29 July 2025 submitted PQ E-003125/25, inquiring whether the Commission’s stockpiling strategy would include using agrofuel production as a virtual stockpile and linking strategic food stocks with food banks. In a 12 September 2025 reply, Commissioner Hansen confirmed the strategy involves assessing virtual stockpiles, including for agrofuels. He noted that the European Social Fund Plus can already co-finance Member States’ support to food banks, and that a recent proposal amending the Common Market Organisation regulation aims to further enhance preparedness and ensure the availability of supplies in crises.
Environmental Health
❗ Commission Sees No Breach of EU Law in Tesla Gigafactory Case
In PQ E-003149/25, Manuela Ripa (PPE) on 30 July 2025 raised concerns about potential breaches of the Habitats, Water Framework, and Seveso III Directives related to the construction of the Tesla Gigafactory in Grünheide, Germany. Commissioner Roswall responded on 9 September 2025, stating that it is primarily for national authorities to ensure EU environmental law is correctly applied. The Commission, having followed the developments and national court proceedings, has no evidence that EU law requirements were not met and therefore sees no current grounds for an investigation.
❓ Legitimacy of Environmental Authorisation for Taranto Steel Plant Questioned
Ignazio Roberto Marino (Verts/ALE) and colleagues submitted PQ E-003520/2025 on 11 September 2025, questioning whether the integrated environmental authorisation (IEA) for the Taranto steel plant in Italy complies with Directive 2010/75/EU. The MEPs argue that deferring health data assessments until after the authorisation is granted is incompatible with the directive’s requirement for a comprehensive and preventive assessment. They ask the Commission to verify the compliance of the IEA process. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Confirms Authorisation of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Drug
Michael McNamara (Renew) asked in PQ E-002800/25 on 9 July 2025 about the status of the marketing authorisation for givinostat (Duvyzat), a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In a response on 9 September 2025, Commissioner Várhelyi confirmed that the Commission granted a conditional marketing authorisation for Duvyzat on 6 June 2025, following a positive scientific opinion from the EMA’s CHMP. The authorisation is for patients aged six and older, and the company is required to conduct two post-authorisation studies to confirm the drug’s efficacy.
❗ Commission Details Support for Cardiovascular Health
In response to a question concerning EU actions on cardiovascular diseases, particularly regarding the gender dimension, Commissioner Várhelyi provided details in his answer to PQ E-002661/25 on 11 September 2025. He stated that while Member States are responsible for healthcare delivery, the Commission supports them through the ‘Healthier Together’ initiative, with over €160 million from the EU4Health programme allocated for actions on cardiovascular diseases. He confirmed that the gender dimension is an integral part of EU health policies and that over €2 billion has been invested in research on women’s health, including cardiovascular issues, with further support planned under Horizon Europe.
❓ MEPs Urge Commission Action on HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Per Clausen (The Left) submitted PQ E-003470/2025 on 8 September 2025, highlighting that few EU/EEA countries have achieved the UN’s 2030 targets for controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The question urges the Commission to press Member States to commit to tracing unreported infections, offering free tests, and making pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) widely available. It also asks if the Commission will step up funding for global health initiatives like the Global Fund. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Outlines Action Plan for Healthcare Cybersecurity
Ioan-Rareş Bogdan (PPE) on 2 July 2025 asked in PQ E-002715/25 what steps the Commission is taking to strengthen cybersecurity in the EU healthcare sector. Executive Vice-President Virkkunen responded on 8 September 2025, pointing to the European action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals adopted in January 2025. The plan includes measures for financial support, such as a dedicated call for proposals from the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, and encourages Member States to use EU funds for initiatives like cybersecurity vouchers. Health is also designated as a critical sector under the NIS2 Directive, which mandates cross-border cooperation.
❗ Information Exchange During COVID-19 Pandemic Clarified
In response to a question regarding the exchange of information with Germany’s Robert Koch Institute during the COVID-19 pandemic, Commissioner Várhelyi answered in PQ E-002656/25 on 11 September 2025. He explained that the Commission values the input of national public health institutes and that information was exchanged through established channels like the Health Security Committee and the Early Warning and Response System. However, he clarified that neither the old nor the new regulations on cross-border health threats mention an “unrestricted” exchange of information. The Commission is not in a position to assess which information submitted by German authorities originated specifically from the Robert Koch Institute’s crisis unit.
❗ Commission Details Conflict of Interest Policies at ECDC and EMA
Responding to a query about the independence of EU health agencies, Commissioner Várhelyi outlined the conflict of interest policies at the ECDC and EMA in his answer to PQ E-0025732025 on 10 September 2025. He confirmed that both agencies have specific policies defining competing interests for scientific committee members and experts, which are publicly accessible. Declarations of interest are published for management staff and governance body members, and these policies are periodically reviewed. In identified cases, members or experts are prevented from participating in meetings where a conflict of interest is envisaged.
❓ Patient Safety Risks from Unofficial Medical Training Curricula Raised
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew) and Peter Agius (PPE) submitted PQ E-003487/2025 on 9 September 2025, raising concerns about patient safety due to training requirements for Oro-facial and Maxillary Surgery (OMFS) set by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). The MEPs argue that UEMS, an organisation with no formal role under the Professional Qualifications Directive, is shaping medical specialties without EU oversight, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or surgical mishaps. They ask what measures the Commission will take to protect patients from the consequences of these unofficial curricula. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Defends Approach to REACH Regulation Review
Pietro Fiocchi (ECR) on 16 July 2025 submitted PQ E-002910/25, criticising the review of the REACH regulation for lacking simplification and ignoring the new Commission’s focus on competitiveness. He alleged an “internal miscommunication” between the Commission’s political leadership and its services. Executive Vice-President Séjourné replied on 8 September 2025, stating that the targeted revision of REACH, due by the end of 2025, aims to simplify rules and speed up procedures while ensuring high protection levels. He clarified that discussions in the CARACAL expert group were part of a consultation process where various options were presented, and no final decisions had been taken, thus refuting the claim of miscommunication.
❗ Commission Clarifies Social Funding Earmarks in Next MFF
In PQ E-003160/25, Lynn Boylan (The Left) on 31 July 2025 asked for clarification on whether the proposed 14% earmark for social policies under the cohesion envelope would result in a minimum national allocation for the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). Executive Vice-President Mînzatu responded on 9 September 2025, confirming that the Commission’s proposals for 2028-2034 include a provision that at least 14% of the total budget for national and regional partnerships be dedicated to social objectives. Furthermore, the proposals stipulate that Member States shall concentrate resources on social inclusion, food aid, and implementing the Child and Youth Guarantees.
❓ MEPs Demand Answers on EU Funding for NGOs
A large cross-party group of MEPs led by Christine Singer (Renew) submitted PQ E-003526/2025 on 12 September 2025, concerning the use of EU funds by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Citing a report that many NGOs have not amended their grant agreements in line with new guidelines, and noting past concerns about funds being used for lobbying, the MEPs question the legal basis for not requiring retroactive amendments. They ask what additional control and sanction mechanisms the Commission plans to introduce to prevent future misuse of funds. A response from the Commission is pending.
