Scientific Colloquia

The EFSA Scientific Colloquium Series was set up in 2004 to give EFSA the opportunity to engage in scientific discussion and debate with leading scientists from Europe and beyond. EFSA hosts at least one colloquium every year, with the aim of deepening understanding of the fundamental scientific issues related to risk assessment of food and feed safety.

The colloquia are organised so as to provide ample opportunity for the exchange of views. Each event has an organising committee that prepares briefing notes for the participants, including a set of discussion points. A short introductory plenary session is followed by break-out discussion groups, the main points of which are presented and discussed in a final plenary session. This closing session agrees the conclusions of the colloquium and, as appropriate, makes recommendations to EFSA and its relevant panel(s).

The deliberations of the discussion groups and the main findings of each colloquium are summarised in a report that is published on EFSA’s website and as a printed booklet.