BfR co-ordinates exchange of scientific information with the European Food Safety Authority

Global networking and federal systems are a challenge for every co-ordination process

30-Apr-2008

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is to henceforth co-ordinate the exchange of scientific information between the European food safety Authority (EFSA), the public authorities responsible for food and feed safety in Germany, stakeholders from economic, political and scientific circles and representatives of consumer associations.

"In our new function as a 'Focal Point', we also assume an important mediator role when risks are assessed differently in Germany from the European level" explained Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel, President of BfR, "We see this as a special challenge because the German federal system with its 16 federal states calls for a particularly extensive co-ordination process which can only be compared with the co-ordination processes between the 27 Member States of the European Union". Against the backdrop of the global food trade the appointment of BfR as the EFSA Focal Point was another important contribution to more food safety in Germany and the European Union. BfR was put forward for this important scientific co-ordination work by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV).

As the national co-ordination office, BfR is also to ensure that the exchange of scientific information on initiatives taken in Germany and by EFSA, ongoing processes and results of the risk assessment of food and feed takes a short route. The results of important scientific research projects can also be rapidly and smoothly passed on to all the stakeholders. In cases in which EFSA is of a different opinion about a risk assessment than the competent institutions in Germany or in other European Member States, the Focal Point will seek to clarify the situation.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/81507/bfr-co-ordinates-exchange-of-scientific-information-with-the-european-food-safety-authority.html