Presenting EFSA
by
Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, Executive Director
and
Riitta Maijala, Director of Risk Assessment
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EFSA at a Glance
European
The European Reference Body
Food
Covers the entire food chain
Safety
Assess, advise, communicate
Authority
Independent, trusted, based on
sound science
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EFSA’s guiding principles
Core values
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Scientific excellence
Independence
Openness
Transparency
Responsiveness
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Mission and vision
EFSA mission:
• Provide scientific advice and support for
EU law/policies on food and feed safety
• Provide independent information
• Communicate the risks
EFSA vision:
It is to become by 2013 globally recognised as the
European reference body for risk assessment on food and
feed safety, animal health and welfare, nutrition, plant
protection and plant health
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EFSA advises on food/feed safety across
the entire food chain
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Who can task EFSA
European Commission
EU Member States
European Parliament
Self-tasking
EFSA structure
Management
Board
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EFSA Staff
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Advisory
Forum
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Scientific Committee
and Panels
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10 Scientific Panels and Scientific
Committee
1. Animal health and welfare
6. Feed additives
2. Food additives and nutrient sources
7. Genetically modified organisms
8. Nutrition
3. Biological hazards
9. Plant health
4. Food contact materials, enzymes,
flavourings
5. Contaminants
10.Plant protection products
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Scientific Committee
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Risk Assessment - GMOs
EFSA does not authorise GMOs, which is done by the European
Commission and Member States in their role as risk managers.
EFSA’s role is strictly limited to giving scientific advice
In 2009 :
• 17 scientific Opinions covering 21 application dossiers were adopted
• 12 technical reports connected to application dossiers (“overall opinions”),
which in addition to the scientific opinion also contain Member State
comments and other documents stipulated in the regulation.
In 2010 :
• Draft guidance documents were adopted and are open for public
consultation regarding environmental risk assessment of GM plants
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Risk Assessment - Health Claims
List of Art.13.1 – health claims:
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July-December 2008: 4,185 claims submitted by EC to EFSA
Jan 2009: EFSA sent back approx. 2,000 claims for clarification
Nov 2009 – March 2010: feedback from EC/MSs
Current situation:
4,637 claims received in total
993 claims evaluated
937 claims published (Oct 09/Feb 10)
297 claims withdrawn
∑ 3,347 claims in progress
Claims – applications (Art.13.5, Art 14)
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Current situation:
299 aplications received
78 applications evaluated
43 withdrawn
19 in progress
Parma – 1st June 2010 – Stakeholder Meeting
open registration on EFSA’s website
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Risk Assessment - Bisphenol A (BPA)
• 2007-2008: Existing EFSA’s opinions on this food contact material
• New studies emerged – EFSA evaluates these studies and invites MSs
to subit studies/data
• A meeting with MS was held on 26 March 2010
• A teleconference with international relevant organisations took place in
March 2010.
• Discussions are ongoing with WHO in view of the preparation of the
Workshop on BPA in November 2010 in Canada
• EFSA aims to complete its evaluation by May 2010, in line with the
deadline set by the Commission
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Strategic Plan 2009 – 2013
6 Strategic Objectives
1. Focus on providing an integrated approach to delivering scientific
advice associated with the food chain from field to plate
2. Provide timely, high-quality evaluation of products, substances and
claims subject to the regulatory authorisation process
3. Coordinate the collation, dissemination and analysis of data in the
fields within EFSA’s remit
4. Position EFSA at the forefront of risk assessment methodologies and
practices in Europe and Internationally
5. Reinforce confidence and trust in EFSA and the EU food safety system
through effective risk communication and dialogue with partners and
stakeholders
6. Assure the responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness of EFSA
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Main corporate achievements 2009
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Ensuring the effective delivery of timely, high-quality scientific advice
Scientific outputs = 640 (+30% compared with 2008)
Resources: Budget +7%, Staff +13% compared with 2008
Urgent advice (methylbenzophenone, nicotine)
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Strengthening the quality of EFSA’s scientific advice
INEX in place
DoI policy fully implemented
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Implementing the Strategy for Cooperation and Networking
Contracts and grants: €5.6 m (2008) → €6.8 m (2009)
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Strengthening EFSA’s capacity to identify emerging risks
Implementing EFSA’s Strategic Approach to International Activities
Promoting coherence, simplicity and visibility in communication
Target audience research
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Ensuring a stimulating and rewarding working environment for both
experts and staff
EFSA Journal
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Key factors in delivering EFSA work
programme
• Cooperation with MS: Art 36 + procurement (€6.8 m in total),
Advisory Forum, Focal Points
• EFSA staff circa 450
• Networks: 1500 experts, 30 national agencies, 350 institutions
• Dialogue with risk managers, DG SANCO bilaterals,
Roadmap, Parliament, Presidencies
• Efficiency gains: risk assessment workflow, review of
authorisation processes etc.
• Stakeholders: renewal of Platform, public consultations,
technical meetings etc.
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Operational context for 2010
High workload (similar to or greater than 2009):
• delivery of 1000 scientific outputs
Resources:
• end of major growth phase for EFSA
• budget 2010 (+2.8%), staff 2010 (+2.5%)
• constraints in Member States
Institutional framework:
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new Commission
Lisbon Treaty
European Parliament
external evaluation of EU agencies
new members of Management Board
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EFSA’s outputs
Total Ouputs
1400
1200
1000
800
Other
applications
600
400
200
0
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010*
Massive/increasing number of applications
Mostly unpredictable/complex regulatory
workflows
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Challenges 2010-2011:evolving tasks
1. Assessing safety and environmental impact of new
products technologies
e.g.novel foods, additives
2. Developing new risk assessment methodologies
e.g.nanotechnology,active intelligent packaging
e.g.omics, reduction of animal testing
3. Assess efficacy /benefit
e.g.pesticides (2011),Claims
Sustainable innovation = safe, environmentally
friendly, backed by science
→ EU 2020
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Key priorities for 2010
• Boost risk assessment capacity in Europe
• Promote the use of the “integrated approach” for
scientific advice
• Strengthen the effectiveness of EFSA’s
communications
• Implement the Strategic Approach to International
Activities
• Consolidate EFSA’s attractiveness for staff and
scientific experts
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