Postage-stamp politics
Since Várhelyi’s nomination, lawmakers — together with others within the Brussels well being and agriculture coverage bubbles — have questioned his experience on animal welfare points and famous that his shut ties with the Hungarian authorities might have a destructive impression on well being insurance policies.
“Várhelyi must make clear that he’s not exercising Orbán’s well being coverage within the Fee,” Peter Liese, the EPP coordinator for ENVI, advised journalists final week. Whereas he famous that Várhelyi “has background and information on well being,” he added that “for animal welfare, that’s not the case.”
The liberals of Renew are additionally sad to have Várhelyi on well being coverage. “Once we have a look at his portfolio, there are totally different duties and the one that’s the most regarding for us is on public well being insurance policies,” Renew’s ENVI coordinator Pascal Canfin mentioned final week.
Animal welfare organizations, in the meantime, principally welcomed a commissioner devoted to the problem, however aren’t thrilled by the person alternative.
“It’s clear by now that Olivér Várhelyi’s cumulative information on animal welfare wouldn’t fill the again of a postage stamp,” NGO 4 Paws boss Joe Moran advised POLITICO.
Animals want “a powerful commissioner in a powerful DG,” he added. “That isn’t Commissioner-designate Várhelyi, and it’s not DG SANTE. We hope MEPs act accordingly.”
Max Griera contributed to this report.
