18/03/2010

Under the auspices of the Spanish Presidency, the Management Board for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) met in Toledo on 17 and 18 March 2010, headed by its President, Diana Banati.

This is an independent body whose members are appointed to act solely in the public interest and therefore do not represent any government, organisation or sector. The 15-member Board sets EFSA’s budget, approves the annual work programme and is responsible for ensuring that EFSA works effectively and co-operates fully with partner organisations across the EU and beyond.

Wednesday 17 March was devoted to internal meetings and auditing. Once finalised, there was a bilateral meeting between AESAN (Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition) and the EFSA Management Board, attended by the AESAN President, Roberto Sabrido, and Executive Director, Ana Troncoso. At this meeting the President outlined AESAN’s structure and lines of work, followed by a lively question and answer session with all members of the Board.

This was followed by an official reception hosted by the Mayor of Toledo, Emiliano García Page, in the Town Hall’s Chapterhouse (Sala Capitular). Speakers included Diana Banati, President of the Management Board, Roberto Sabrido, AESAN President, and Berta Hernández, the Director General for Public Health. The reception was concluded with a warm welcome speech made by the alderman of this historic city, followed by a drinks reception.

 

 

 

 

There followed a dinner attended by regional health authorities, led by Fernando Lamata, regional minister for Health and Social Welfare. 

 

 

 

 

 

The public session of the Management Board took place on 18 March, which could be followed on the Internet, and was opened by Ana Troncoso, Executive Director of AESAN. During her speech she highlighted EFSA’s fundamental role in the development of recognised risk assessment tools. She also revealed how receptive the European Authority had been with regard to Spanish requests, as well as the strong links established above and beyond formal structures.

Both Diana Banati, President of the Management Board, and Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority, thanked AESAN and the Spanish Presidency for inviting them to take part in this EFSA workshop in Toledo, highlighting the importance of the close relationship that exists between both agencies, European and Spanish.

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