52nd Management Board meeting: EFSA’s Management Board supports list of candidates for renewal of Scientific Committee and eight Panels, adopts preliminary 2013 Management Plan– Audio available
The Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority adopted the list of candidates nominated for appointment to EFSA’s Scientific Committee and eight of its scientific Panels, which are due for renewal in July 2012. In line with EFSA’s Science Strategy to increase cooperation with Member States, the Board also adopted the draft preliminary Management Plan and budget for 2013, in which EFSA proposes raising the value of contracts and grants to Member State organisations by €1.4 million to €10.6 million. While strengthening its risk assessment support in Member States, EFSA’s overall staffing and budget proposal for 2013 complies with the EU institutional commitment to cut staff by 1% and hold budget constant.
EFSA nominated 169 scientific experts from 21 Member States for membership in the eight Panels and its Scientific Committee to be re-established in 2012. A further 211 experts were nominated for inclusion in EFSA’s panel expert reserve list.
EFSA will be able to benefit again from the strong scientific expertise which exists among European public bodies, with 41% of the nominees coming from universities, 39% from public research institutes and 15% from government bodies (the remaining 5% of candidates are retired). EFSA is placing greater reliance on working with experts from similar food safety organisations, pursuing public health interest objectives.
The successful response to EFSA’s third call for experts saw an 8.4% increase in eligible candidates compared to 2009, although the number of qualified experts prepared to volunteer their time to EFSA’s work on GMOs, a sensitive issue, has decreased. There was however, a rise in the number of younger, experienced applicants, leading in their respective fields. Almost 50% of the selected experts will be serving for the first time.
The candidates were selected after an extensive evaluation procedure. 871 applicants were assessed by EFSA staff according to rigorous criteria designed to ensure a high standard of scientific excellence and proven capacity to contribute to EFSA’s mission. External evaluators confirmed compliance to internal rules and noted continued improvements in the selection process.
The candidates, who were required to submit a Declaration of Interest, were screened according to EFSA’s new implementing rules which were published on 5 March 2012. The rules allow EFSA to tap into the best scientific expertise available while ensuring – for both the organisation and its experts - independence and integrity throughout all areas of the Authority’s governance and work. The names of the members appointed by the Management Board will become public in May once experts have accepted their appointment.
In her concluding remarks on EFSA’s 2011 annual activity report, Board chair Diána Bánáti expressed the strong support of the Management Board for all EFSA’s experts and staff. “The Management Board reiterates its confidence in the integrity of all EFSA’s experts and staff and its recognition of their valuable contribution to EFSA’s work. Through EFSA’s strengthened rules on Declarations of Interests, the Authority will continue to build a system which helps reinforce trust in its high quality scientific work and protect its staff and experts from any unfounded allegations,” she said.
The Board, meeting for the first time at EFSA’s new seat in Parma, adopted the Authority’s draft preliminary Management Plan for 2013, outlining a work programme which will focus on implementing the recently approved Science Strategy 2012-2016, including fostering international cooperation in food safety.
Demand for scientific advice will remain high in 2013 with more than 670 outputs expected. The risk assessment work programme related to public health will include delivery of advice on the use of animal-based welfare indicators, meat inspection, TSEs, dietary reference values for micronutrients, mycotoxins and metals. Workload associated with the evaluation of regulated products and health claims will remain considerable with evaluations of plastic food contact materials, food enzymes, flavourings and the re-evaluation of authorised food additives.
In 2013, EFSA will consult its Scientific Committee on various issues of high priority in the Science Strategy, such as the development of a structured and transparent programme for the balancing of priorities between regulated products, public health priorities and emerging issues, guidance on the consideration of allergenicity in risk assessment, and the development and implementation of new and harmonised risk assessment methodologies.
Cooperation with Member States will continue to be crucial both for EFSA’s ability to deliver its work programme and for the European food safety system in general. EFSA will review the planning of scientific cooperation aimed at a more strategic and multi-annual approach in line with EFSA’s Science Strategy. It will also, in this context, continue to develop its medium-term planning to stimulate the involvement of national food safety agencies, and help Member States identify opportunities for cooperation as early as possible.
For media enquiries please contact:
EFSA Media Relations Office
Tel. +39 0521 036 149
E-mail: Press [at] efsa.europa.eu
The term of eight Scientific Panels and the Scientific Committee is due to expire in July 2012. The Panels are: Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW); Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ); Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM); Feed Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP); Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO); Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Plant Health (PLH) and Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR). The other two Scientific Panels of EFSA on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) and Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) were renewed for the three-year term in 2011 (2011 Renewal).
Audiocast and documents
Welcome and opening of the meeting by the Chair
Adoption of the draft agenda
ED Progress Report
Draft Annual Activity Report 2011
Draft Preliminary Management Plan 2013
Draft Preliminary Budget and Establishment Plan 2013
Update on the Commission’s impact study on fees
Appointment of the members of the Scientific Committee and eight Scientific Panels and placement of suitable candidates in the reserve list
Revision of the Rules of Procedure of the Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and their working groups
2011 Budget Execution and Transfers in EFSA Budget
Update from the Audit Committee
Update on external evaluation of EFSA
AOB