Vol. 525 No. 5
223 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his views on the proposals published recently by the Euro pean Commission to establish a European Food Authority; the way in which the various State agencies under his aegis will interact with a food authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25865/00]
I very much welcome the proposed establishment of a European Food Authority as I believe that a co-ordinated approach to food safety across the EU is essential. Indeed it mirrors our own approach to food safety with the establishment of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health and Children.
While the proposals which are to be adopted through the co-decision procedure – Council and the European Parliament – have yet to be fully debated, the main focus of the EFA will be to provide excellent independent scientific advice and establish a network of close co-operation with similar bodies in the member states. It will have a key function in assessing risks related to all food and animal feed operations.
Its organisational structure envisages a management board with overall responsibility for an advisory forum, comprising representatives of national food agencies in the member states, and a scientific committee comprised of the chairpersons of each of the eight scientific panels which it is proposed to establish together with six other independent experts. The EFA intends to collaborate with scientific institutions in the member states and the joint research centre of the commission to make the best possible use of available expertise. It is expected that the authority will set up fully integrated networks with authorities, universities and research institutes in the member states. Clearly there would be an interactive role here for Teagasc.
