European Parliament
Hughes (PSE ).
Mr President, I am pleased to hear such sensible words emanating from the PPE-DE Group.
I must take issue with the Commissioner. She says that my assertion that this policy area is sidelined is not true and then gives a number of examples of recent progress. I would remind the Commissioner that the dossiers on optical radiation fields and waves, vibration and noise all date back ten years. They were part of the original physical agents proposal. I am glad that there has been movement in Council, but these are very old proposals.
I would say to Mr Bushill-Matthews that there are new and emerging risks in the health and safety field. In my report on the strategy I said that guidance, training, information and a whole range of options could be adopted as a response, but I believe that legislation also has to be considered as part of the mix.
Finally, it looks as though I am probably in line for a mention in his next book as well, so I would just give these words of comfort to Mr Bushill-Matthews: I am sure that if you simply agreed with me more often, the feeling of stress in the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs would evaporate.

