EFSA’s Advisory Forum supports Europe’s Research Agenda

Europe’s national food authorities have called for continuous R&I investment in generating the scientific knowledge needed for risk assessment A specialised field of applied science that involves reviewing scientific data and studies in order to evaluate risks associated with certain hazards. It involves four steps: hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation.. This will ensure that providing healthy nutrition The science of how diet relates to the body's need for sustenance. and safe food remains a priority objective for food systems that are sustainable, within and beyond Europe. In a joint statement with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Advisory Forum, tasked with providing EFSA with strategic advice on scientific issues, invites the European Commission and national funding programmes to make active use of the large food safety knowledge ecosystem A community of living organisms in conjunction with non-living components (e.g. air, water and mineral soil). A healthy ecosystem is a finely balanced system where animals, plants and microbes live in harmony with their environment..

EFSA’s new Chief Scientist Carlos das Neves said: “EFSA and national food authorities can together significantly contribute to and benefit from the European Research Area, such as by working together through the European Partnerships and the research projects established under Horizon Europe. With its well-established scientific networks across all EU Member States, Iceland and Norway, EFSA can play a major role in stimulating One Health approaches to complex problems that affect us all. By helping to avoid duplication of research efforts, and joint planning of future research agendas, we can collectively ensure that future food systems remain safe and sustainable. That is a goal that should motivate us all!”

The statement comes ahead of EFSA’s second Risk Assessment Research Assembly (RARA) taking place on 7 December 2022 in Berlin. RARA brings together scientists, funders, risk assessors and EU policy makers to discuss how food safety research can best support the Sustainable Development Goals and relevant EU policies, and to foster complementarity of food safety R&I investments at European and national level.

• Joint Statement of EFSA and the members of EFSA’s Advisory Forum
• Risk Assessment Research Assembly (RARA), Berlin, 7 December 2022 (live webstreaming available)