Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi, in a written answer on 22 June 2026, provided the data basis for the Commission's announced reinforcement of food import controls, revealing that in 2025 the Commission carried out 28 export-related onsite audits of third countries and five onsite audits of Member States on official controls at border control posts. The answer, responding to a parliamentary question from Alexander Bernhuber (PPE), clarifies that the planned 50% increase in audits in non-EU countries and 33% increase in checks at border control posts, first announced on 9 December 2025, are based on these 2025 figures. The Commission will deliver the increase by prioritising control activities, with the 2026 work programme planning 47 export-related onsite audits of third countries and seven onsite audits of Member States. The answer does not specify the number of additional auditors or inspectors required, nor whether the necessary budget has been approved, stating only that the Commission will deliver by prioritising. On the delayed Article 114 report under Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Várhelyi said the report covering 2023 and 2024 will be published in 2026, contingent on Member States' annual reports and competing priorities. The answer provides concrete figures but leaves open questions on staffing and budget, signalling that the Commission intends to meet its targets through internal reprioritisation rather than new resources.
Source✉ Open answer ↗
Asked byAlexander Bernhuber (PPE) · answered by Olivér Várhelyi