Food safety authority should be up and running by the end of the year, says Byrne

Brussels, 17 April 2002

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) should be operational by the end of 2002, according to Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne.

Speaking at a European food summit held by the Confederation of food and drink industries of the European Union (CIAA) on 11 and 12 April, Commissioner Byrne assured industry representatives that the authority would be off the ground by autumn. He also said the European Parliament would examine the issue of the number of food and drink industry representatives on the EFSA board.

On 8 April, the European Commission announced a list of candidates for the management board of the EFSA. This is currently being considered by the European Parliament before being passed on to the Council. The Council will appoint 14 members, with a 15th member appointed by the Commission.

A regulation establishing a food safety authority for Europe and general principles for food law was adopted by European Heads of State and Government meeting at Laeken, Belgium on 14 and 15 December 2001.

For further information, please consult the following web address:
http://www.mci-salons.fr/sae/index.htm

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001