§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mandate of the Standing Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55364]
§ Mr. MorleyI have been asked to reply
The Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) was originally established under Article 16 of Directive 81/851/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to veterinary medicinal products.
Under Article 27 of Regulation (EEC) No 2309–93 laying down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA), the CVMP is responsible for formulating the opinion of the EMEA on any question concerning the admissibility of the files submitted in accordance with the centralised procedure, the granting, variation, suspension or withdrawal of an authorisation to place a veterinary medicinal product on the market arising in accordance with the provisions Title III of Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93.
The CVMP met on 11 occasions during 2001 and has met five times so far this year.
There are two UK members on the CVMP. Currently the committee is also chaired by the UK.
162WThe cost of its work is met by the EMEA. There are no direct costs to public funds although the salaries of officials representing the UK and preparing for meetings are met from public funds. Details of its work can be found on the EMEA website and in press releases issued by the EMEA.
As an agency established by Community legislation the CVMP is accountable to the EMEA and ultimately to the European Parliament.