His Maltese predecessor John Dalli left the Commission after being linked to a cash-for-influence scandal involving new tobacco legislation.

BBC: Malta's Tonio Borg appointed EU Health Commissioner

Meanwhile Health Commissioner John Dalli said that it would give the EU the highest standards of animal welfare in the world.

BBC: Animal welfare laws

Former EU health commissioner John Dalli has insisted on his innocence in an alleged attempt to peddle influence, days after he resigned.

BBC: EU's Dalli insists on innocence in tobacco scandal

The EU Health Commissioner, John Dalli, took a swipe at the Germans over the release of inaccurate information which he said spread "unjustifiable fears".

BBC: E. coli outbreak: The power of the EU farming lobby