On 6 October 2005, consumer, environmental and health groups challenged the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to put public and environmental safety before commercial interests. The call came on the occasion of the launch of a new Stakeholder Platform in Parma,Italy.

The organisations (EUROCOOP,European Environmental Bureau (EEB),Friends of the Earth Europe,Greenpeace) welcome the initiative by EFSA to listen to the views of stakeholders but urge EFSA to make serious changes in its work and procedures. In particular the groups are highly critical of the EFSA’s work on genetically modified foods (GMOs).

In particular, the consumer, environmental and health groups published ten demands for the EFSA, calling on it to:
 Fulfil its legal obligations to take into regard the long term safety of foods as well as the scientific uncertainties
 Review its scientific panels to make them impartial and independent from industry
 Improve its transparency and implement its Code of good administration behaviour

Greenpeace also issued a new report into the failings of the EFSA’s scientific work on genetically modified foods. In November last year Friends of the Earth published a detailed critique of EFSA, accusing it of industry bias. Both organisations call on EFSA to stop releasing any further opinions on GMOs until the problems identified have been sorted out.

According to the European Environmental Bureau, the establishment of the Stakeholders Platform is a welcome step towards improving the relationship between civil society organisations and the Food Safety Authority. However the Authority has to improve its work and procedures to contribute to ensure a high level of protection of health and environment.

EURO COOP hopes that the Stakeholder Forum will help EFSA in gaining credibility as a risk assessor in the eyes of consumers and food operators.

 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)website