EFSA will not be pressed for decisions, the board warns
Food Safety Authority's management board warned that 'the principle
of meeting deadlines cannot be at the price of inferior science'.
Under the auspices of the Palazzo Ducale in Parma, Italy, the EFSA endorsed its position regarding the setting of appropriate timeframes for its scientific work - that of risk assessment.
"The Authority is committed to providing independent scientific advice of the highest quality and communicating findings in a timely manner, in the interest of protecting the European consumer. However, the principle of meeting deadlines cannot undermine scientific excellence," said the watchdog in a statement yesterday.
According to EFSA, the board also 'expressed concern' regarding provisions set out in draft legislative proposals which could allow the Commission the possibility of withdrawing EFSA decisions. The role of the EFSA as it stands is to carry out requests from Brussels, for the most part, evaluate a risk assessment and pronounce a decision.
"Members of the board therefore authorised the chairman to write to the appropriate legislative bodies underlining these concerns of the authority," said EFSA.
The food watchdog - installed in temporary offices in Brussels for the past year - will shortly head to Parma. This week the authority signed an agreement with the Italian government, confirming the move.
