EFSA Lays Out 2009-2013 Strategic Plan
The Strategic Plan sets out the vision of an organisation whose quality of work and ability to meet the requirements of risk managers will be achieved through the continued support of Member States, partner European institutions and stakeholders.
03/10/08 The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Management Board, including seven newly appointed member have met to discuss the Strategic Plan for 2009-2013, which lays out the strategic objectives ahead amid a rapidly-changing environment in the field of food and feed safety. Board members also elected Diána Bánáti as Chair and Marianne Elvander and Bart Sangster as the Board’s Vice-Chairs.
“I am honoured to have been elected Chair of the Board of a leading organisation like EFSA at such an opportune time. Having doubled its headcount in the last two years, EFSA is ever more ready to effectively address the challenges of the future and the growing expectations of its customers and stakeholders to deliver independent scientific advice of the highest quality,” Board Chair Diána Bánáti said.
The Strategic Plan sets out the vision of an organisation whose quality of work and ability to meet the requirements of risk managers will be achieved through the continued support of Member States, partner European institutions and stakeholders.
“Having delivered more than 1,000 scientific opinions and reports, EFSA is now well established. We have identified key priorities in the plan so that we can handle future challenges and opportunities while continuing to strengthen consumer protection across the European Union,” EFSA Executive Director Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle said.
The world is facing a number of significant changes which will impact on the work of Europe’s food safety watchdog over the next five years. Not least, the globalisation of world markets will increase the likelihood of new or re-emerging risks, while climate change and the sustainability of Europe’s food production practices will necessitate a more integrated approach to risk assessment that addresses risks along the entire food chain.
New technologies and innovation in food and feed production will also drive EFSA to keep pace with cutting-edge scientific developments.
In the Strategic Plan, EFSA outlines how it will further exploit the scientific expertise at its disposal across Europe, harnessing the knowledge of scientists from all disciplines along the food chain, including animal health and welfare, plant health and nutrition. In this way, it will strengthen its integrated approach to risk assessment to provide Europe’s decision makers with relevant, up-to-the-minute scientific advice.
EFSA plans to increase cooperation with Member States, third countries and international bodies to ensure improved access and sharing of information and data and enhance risk assessment methodologies. Cooperation with Member States, European institutions and stakeholders is also key to bolstering the trust and confidence in the EU food safety system through effective risk communication and dialogue.
EFSA has already established networks of more than 1,000 experts on its Scientific Committee, Scientific Panels and Working Groups, supported by highly experienced EFSA staff from across the EU. National food safety agencies of the 27 Member States and neighbouring countries and some 200 scientific organisations constitute other networks assisting EFSA in its work.
The Strategic Plan, which will provide a basis for EFSA’s annual work programmes, will be subject to public consultation on EFSA’s website in coming weeks and a final draft will be presented to the Management Board for adoption in December.
