European Food Safety Authority, July 2005

Established in 2002 though not active until 2003, the European Food Safety Authority based in Parma was finally officially inaugurated on 21st June 2005. The independent agency will complement the work of the Commission in protecting consumers by presenting objective scientific research and advice on potential risks. The Commission will then be in a position to make informed decisions and take the necessary steps to develop appropriate food safety legislation. The EFSA has established a website at http://www.efsa.eu.int which provides access to agendas, notes of speeches, minutes of meetings, calls for tenders, latest news, membership details of the various scientific panels, and related documents and reports. Together with the food safety section of the web site of DG Health and Consumer Protection at http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer/foodsafety.htm the EFSA will give consumers access to the latest information in this important area.