EFSA Press Releases

‘Food Safety in Europe: Objectives and Strategy of EFSA’, The European Food Safety Authority: a European and Danish perspective, ...

Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle Speaking Notes Dear Henrik, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Introduction It gives me great pleasure to be here with you today in Copenhagen and I am very grateful to the Technical University of Denmark and to the …

EFSA issues opinions on Genetically Modified 1507 Maize

The GM 1507 maize was assessed with reference to its intended use employing the appropriate principles as described in the “Guidance Document of the Scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms for the Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified Plants …

EFSA completes 30 risk assessments on undesirable substances in animal feed

These undesirable substances are chemicals such as nitrite, the substance addressed in the last of the 30 opinions just published; they can occur naturally, or result from environmental or other contamination in the feed and food chain. The elimination of …

EFSA’s work on the assessment of the safety of GM plants

Animal cloning: EFSA consults stakeholders on its draft Opinion

On 7 February 2008 EFSA held a technical meeting in Brussels with its Stakeholder Consultative Platform on its draft Opinion on animal cloning. The meeting gave an opportunity for experts to brief stakeholders face-to-face on the draft Opinion and to have …

Preventing Foot and Mouth Disease in the European Union

FMD is a viral disease which principally affects cattle, sheep, goats and pigs[2] and is not of concern to human health. The disease has severe economic consequences for the agricultural sector and thus profoundly impacts on the livelihoods of rural …

EFSA Journal: EFSA science at your fingertips

The EFSA Journal contains the vast body of work being carried out by EFSA and its Scientific Committee and Panels spanning the entire food chain, from food and feed safety, nutrition, animal health and welfare, to plant health and plant protection. The new …

EFSA Management Board adopts 2005 Management Plan

The Management Plan consolidates the key objectives of EFSA in relation to its scientific and communications activities, the Advisory Forum as well as External Relations. In 2005, the Authority will further build its capacity in all areas of competence in …

Clarification of EFSA’s conclusions on the active substance carbendazim

Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle appointed head of EFSA

Stuart Slorach, chair of the Management Board, said: “I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle to the position of Executive Director. EFSA is at a critical stage in its development and I am confident that Catherine has …

EFSA sets European dietary reference values for nutrient intakes

Dietary reference values indicate the amount of an individual nutrient that people need for good health depending on their age and gender. The European Commission asked EFSA to update previous European advice in this area, taking into account new …

EFSA: Assessing risks from the field to the plate - Radenci, Slovenia

Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle Dear Minister of Agriculture, dear Milan, dear Ministers, distinguished guests, colleagues, 1.Introduction I am very happy to be back again in Radenci on the occasion of the 47th International Agricultural-Food Fair and I thank …

Meeting deadlines cannot be at the price of inferior science: EFSA Management Board confirms commitment to delivering independent, ...

Today, and for the first time, the EFSA Management Board met in Parma at the Palazzo Ducale, the future representative headquarters of the European Food Safety Authority. At this meeting, the Board endorsed the Authority’s position regarding the setting of …

EFSA Stakeholder Platform considers plans to bolster public consultations

The importance of public consultation to EFSA is set out in EFSA’s Founding Regulation[1] and was reaffirmed in 2006 by EFSA’s Management Board[2] and EFSA’s Scientific Committee[3]. The document tabled reflects the experiences gained in more than 33 …

Opinion and draft recommendations on strengthening of EFSA’s internal regulatory framework

EFSA completes 2nd stage of EU-wide pesticides peer review process

Context: The European Directive on the placing of plant protection products on the market is the legal framework for the market authorisation of plant protection products in Europe. Under this legislation, active substances cannot continue to be used in …

EFSA to issue scientific advice on possible food safety and animal health risks following potential Iceland volcano ashfall

Following the eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano in Iceland, the European Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to provide urgent scientific advice on the possible risks for public and animal health through food, including …

EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, Study Days, Paris

Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle This speech was originally delivered in French. Mr Chairman, Dear Joseph, Thank you very much for inviting me, for inviting EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, to be part of the programme for these Study Days organised by …

EFSA provides risk assessment on mercury in fish: precautionary advice given to vulnerable groups

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA’s Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) has evaluated the possible risks to human health from the consumption of foods contaminated with mercury, in particular methylmercury, …

EFSA doubles output in 2008 and expands scientific cooperation

“EFSA is also making great strides in improving scientific independence and quality, efficiency and responsiveness. This is helping to ensure that risk managers in the Commission and in the Member States receive the best possible scientific advice in a …