The year 2007 is also important for EFSA since it marks the institution’s fifth anniversary. Created as the cornerstone of a new system for guaranteeing a high level of food safety by separating risk analysis from risk management, EFSA can now boast the addition of important goals and objectives for the future, which will help it to meet the challenges facing the food safety during the 21^st century.

Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, Executive Director of EFSA, has made the following statement: ‘We are happy to be in Parma and we would like to use these celebrations as an opportunity to give the public the chance to become better acquainted with the mission, tasks and commitment of EFSA when it comes to protecting consumers and guaranteeing a high level of food safety. We value collaboration with the local authorities and the joint commitment to continuously raising awareness of Europe’.

According to Mayor Elvio Ubaldi: ‘The arrival of EFSA represented a unique opportunity for the entire city, although the agency is legitimately independent of the civic context. Nonetheless, the proximity of a European authority has given us the opportunity to welcome, celebrate and experience with even greater emphasis and involvement the values of the European project, inspired in large part by Alcide De Gasperi and Altiero Spinelli. Collaboration between EFSA and the local authorities now assumes particular significance: an opportunity to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the food agency, to look back on 50 years of Europe, and, last but not least, to disseminate among the public the key activities in the food safety sector guaranteed by EFSA’. The commune of Parma and EFSA will hold an information stand on Europe at Piazza Garibaldi from 8 to 10 May.

The Province of Parma, Europass and EFSA have organised a photographic exhibition entitled ‘EFSA: At the service of European food safety for the past five years’ to explain the role and activities of the authority through a series of images. ‘We have been working together for five years now’, according to the President of the Province of Parma Vincenzo Bernazzoli, ‘because the arrival of EFSA has been a success, with all players working together. Now we must strive’, he continues, ‘to transform this experience into a major opportunity for our region’.

EFSA will also take part in the celebrations to mark Schuman Day on 9 May organised by the European School in Parma and in the open day organised by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra on 12 May. We hope these initiatives will help bring citizens even closer to Europe and to EFSA.

Overleaf: Programme of events

Information on the events to mark EFSA’s fifth anniversary.

Programme of events

EFSA: At the service of European food safety for the past five years – Photographic exhibition organised by EFSA, the Province of Parma and Europass – Palazzo Giordani, Viale Martiri della Libertà, 15, Parma, 9-18 May 2007 The exhibition opens on Wednesday 9 May at 11 a.m. at the Palazzo Giordani in the presence of the President of the Province Vincenzo Bernazzoli, the Director of EFSA Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, and Member of EFSA’s Management Board Prof. Giorgio Calabrese.

Europe Info Point – Organised by the Commune of Parma and EFSA, held at the Piazza Garibaldi from 8 to 10 May 2007 Information point on Europe and EFSA. Distribution of material dealing with Community policies, information material and a quiz aimed at increasing awareness of the authority. Staff will be at hand to answer questions from the public on Europe and on EFSA’s activities in the food safety sector in Europe. Wednesday 9 May, 1.00 p.m.: Mayor of Parma Elvio Ubaldi, Director of EFSA Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, and Member of EFSA’s Management Board Prof. Giorgio Calabrese will visit the stand and will interact with participants.

European School, Schuman Day, Via Saffi, 8, Parma, 9 May 2007, afternoon Wednesday 9 May, 3.00 p.m.: ‘EFSA: An opportunity for Parma and for the European School’, speaker: Prof. Giorgio Calabrese, Member of EFSA’s Management Board.

Open Day of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, 12 May 2007 EFSA will be present with a stand, information material, a quiz on the authority and games for young ones to mark the occasion.