59th Management Board meeting: EFSA board adopts Work programme and budget for 2014, endorses Multiannual Plan 2014-2016 - Audio available

19 Decembris 2013

Parma, Italy

The European Food Safety Authority’s Management Board has adopted a new Programming document including a Multiannual Plan 2014-2016, as well as the detailed annual work programme and budget for 2014.

The Multiannual Plan (MAP) aims to strengthen the way EFSA provides scientific advice, to make optimum use of the EU risk assessment community and build more transparency and trust. It takes into consideration a number of strategic objectives as well as Board recommendations of December 2012 based on the findings of EFSA’s second external evaluation.

Despite a reduction in available resources over 2014-2016, the Plan has been drawn up to ensure effective delivery of EFSA’s work programmes through cost savings, greater cooperation and building of synergies in the European food safety system. Current austerity measures affecting all EU institutions will mean the loss of 21 posts at EFSA during the period in question while EFSA’s budget will remain relatively flat at around €79.6 million.

“The Management Board has supported this new approach to planning within EFSA to help ensure that it can deliver effectively, protecting consumers across many areas. This is particularly impressive in light of the recent changes in senior management which underlines the Authority’s ability to continue to deliver high quality outputs.”said Chair of EFSA’s Management Board, Sue Davies.

The MAP will feed into a broader review of the corporate EFSA Strategy (2009-2013) which will be redefined for 2014-2018 under the responsibility of a newly appointed Executive Director, and which will be guided by the EU Multiannual Financial Framework.

The MAP covers a number of initiatives in the area of Science, Communication, and resource optimisation, including:

building a multiannual EU risk assessment agenda, working with the European Commission, Member States and EU partners based on public health and emerging risks;
strengthening EFSA’s role as Europe’s food safety data hub, developing EFSA’s data warehouse and data access policy;
optimising the role of experts, staff and other partners within the risk assessment process;
defining EFSA’s international role and enhancing cooperation;
strengthening the way EFSA provides scientific advice, by improving interactions with risk managers and other stakeholders, while implementing useful customer feedback;
increasing trust in ESFA’s work by adopting a revised policy on openness and transparency, and reviewing EFSA’s independence policy and implementing rules.
Better understanding, defining and meeting target audience needs;
Strengthening the clarity of EFSA’s communications and improving information delivery;
Building awareness, understanding and recognition of EFSA and its role as risk assessor in the EU;
Promoting coherence in risk communications with EU and international partners;

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EFSA Media Relations office
Tel: +39 0521 036 149
Email: Press [at] efsa.europa.eu