EFSA is increasing its transparency to stakeholders by introducing video streaming of open meetings of its Scientific Panels. This is intended to boost the number of observers by allowing remote attendance. Online submission of questions to EFSA’s scientists will also be possible.

Following a pilot phase in Brussels, which did not significantly increase attendance, all open plenary meetings will move back to Parma in 2017. Registered observers will still be able to attend the meetings but now they also have the option of following open sessions of the meetings on EFSA’s website and taking part in the question and answer sessions with EFSA’s experts while online. For observers following the meetings via the web, the cost of attending is effectively removed.

The calendar of open scientific meetings in 2017 is available today. Updated guidelines for observers will be provided in the coming weeks on EFSA’s website. Anyone wishing to attend – whether in person or remotely – should consult the updated guidelines and apply as soon as registration for the relevant meeting opens.