Suchergebnisse

Historically, food safety was a part of national regulation so EU food safety policy is quite phenomenal and associated with the implementation of the principles of the single market .The aim of the thesis is to explore the EU's food safety policy's peculiarities in Lithuania emphasizing the case of african swine fever. In order to achieve this goal the thesis is based on scientific literature analysis , documentation and legislative analysis , qualitative content analysis and semi- structured interviews. The first chapter examines the theoretical access of EU food safety policy. K.Paul's, V.Schmidt's and other author's ideas about the importance of discourse when seeking to explain institutional changes are analysed. The second part examines EU's food safety policy , it's principles, changes and decision- making process. Legal documents which governing EU food safety policy is analysed. The key actors of European level food safety policy are emphasized. The third chapter examines the food safety in Lithuania . Analysis of food safety legislation in Lithuania is made by distinguishing institutions which are involved in food safety policy process. Functions of the State Food and Veterinary service are emphasized. The fourth part of the paper analyzes the problems of african swine fever in Lithuania. A qualitative media content analysis allowed to identify the existing discourses and problems which are emphasized in media. Semi- structured interviews with the responsible authorities , politicians and other stakeholders allowed to achieve a better understanding of the decisions and stakeholder position of african swine fever. Results leaded to the conclusion that Lithuania accepted more drastic decisions than is required by EU legislation which has caused dissatisfaction within environmentalist and losses to pig farmers . However, due to african swine fever infection in Lithuania and Poland pork export is suspended to Russia from EU although the EU itself prohibited export only from the affected areas , which suggests that the EU's food safety system is not always recognized by the third parties.