Seminar on EFSA in the EU Food Safety System

This two-day seminar was the first meeting between the representatives from the five Potential Candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo Under UNSC Resolution 1244, Montenegro and Serbia ) and EFSA. The aim of the seminar was to provide an introduction to the EU food safety system and the role of EFSA as risk assessor.

Representatives from the Directorate General Health and Consumers (DG SANCO), EU Member States and EFSA presented the EU food safety system putting an accent on division between risk management and risk assessment.

During the seminar it was showcased the importance of EFSA’s role in providing appropriate, consistent, accurate and timely communications on food safety issues to all stakeholders and the public as well as the role of EFSA Advisory Forum as the communication and cooperation platform between EFSA and the Member States. The Scientific Cooperation Unit, then showed how EFSA works, explaining in particular the role and work of Panels, Scientific Committee and Focal Points network.

The participation in the EFSA Networks is meant to help the beneficiaries in adjusting food safety-related measures in their countries to the one recognised by the EU Member States and EFSA. The Budva seminar gave a solid platform for exchange of views and experiences, where the representatives from the five Potential Candidate countries had the possibility to present the state of art in the food safety in their countries and the difficulties they are facing.