It has been clear since the start of the BSE crisis that the most appropriate and effective level of protection for our citizens is directly linked to the vigilance of the national authorities, with Community procedures, when they finally come to be drawn up, being able, of course, to play a useful complementary role.
BSE-krisen har med al ønskelig tydelighed vist, at et rimeligt og effektivt beskyttelsesniveau forudsætter årvågne nationale myndigheder. EU-procedurerne kan, når de til sin tid foreligger, selvsagt udgøre et nyttigt supplement hertil.