An embarrassing series of food scandals in recent years has prompted Brussels policymakers to consider establishing an advisory European Food Authority by 2002. The proposal for an independent agency employing several hundred scientists was advanced last week by the European Commission, which believes its arrival will help to rebuild consumer confidence.

After a damaging series of revelations, which included the fact that the French used sewage sludge in animal feed and Belgium's dioxin scandal last summer, the European Union's public health commissioner, David Byrne, has also announced more than 80 separate initiatives to close loopholes in existing legislation.

These measures will cover animal feed, animal health and …