Implemented activities under the EFSA Pre-accession Programme reporting period from April 2009 until June

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1 Supporting Publications 2012:EN-342 TECHNICAL REPORT Implemented activities under the EFSA Pre-accession Programme reporting period from April 2009 until June European Food Safety Authority 2, 3 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy SUMMARY The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA Programme) came into force on 1 January 2007 bringing all Pre-Accession support into a single, focused instrument. Under the IPA, EFSA is implementing the Programme entitled: Preparatory Measures for the Participation of the Candidate countries and the Potential Candidate countries in EFSA, financed by the European Commission (EC). This means that EFSA is working with the food safety authorities in Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYR of Macedonia), Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 (hereafter Kosovo), on food and feed safety issues within the EFSA s remit. This report presents the activities and budget spent of the completed IPA Pre-Accession Programme entitled: Preparatory Measures for the Participation of the Candidate countries and the Potential Candidate countries in European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the first 10 months of the new IPA Pre-Accession Programme entitled Preparatory Measures for the Participation of the Candidate countries and the Potential Candidate countries in EFSA (hereinafter both named the Programme). Within the EFSA, the Advisory Forum and Scientific Cooperation Unit (the Pre-Accession team) is coordinating the implementation of the Programme. It cooperates and liaises with the national coordinators for the Programme in the Pre-Accession countries, other EFSA units, the European Commission and the EU Member State s (MS) food safety authorities. The EFSA Pre-Accession Steering Committee has been established in order to ensure better monitoring and control over the general implementation of the Programme activities as well as to facilitate the planning of future activities. The overall objective of the Programme is to promote understanding of the EFSA s work in the Pre- Accession countries, share expertise, create information exchange mechanisms, and involve the national authorities in crisis coordination exercises. 1 On request from EFSA, Question No EFSA-Q , approved on 13 September Correspondence: AFSCO.Secretariat@efsa.europa.eu Suggested citation: European Food Safety Authority; Implemented activities under the EFSA Pre-accession Programme reporting period from April 2009 until June Supporting Publications 2012:EN-342 [26 pp.]. Available online: European Food Safety Authority, 2012

2 The Programme activities are focused on the organisation of series of seminars / workshops / trainings and study tours, and involvement of the Pre-Accession institutions and their experts, as far as allowed by current legislation, in all mechanisms of scientific cooperation established between EFSA and MSs. The target audiences are the experts from the Competent Authorities for food and feed safety in the Pre-Accession countries, in particular those with a similar remit as EFSA s. Representatives of senior management, decision makers, service managers, scientific networks leaders, communication officers, and scientists take part in a range of activities within the Programme. Since May 2009, 371 representatives from the food safety authorities in the 8 Pre-Accession countries participated in 9 seminars / workshops / trainings organised within the Programme. Topics were prioritised and defined in consultation with the competent authorities from the Pre-Accession countries, responsible experts from the EFSA scientific units and based on inputs from the Project Steering Committee. Experts from EFSA, MSs and the EC were invited to take a part as speakers in order to share their knowledge, experience and future plans on the topic for the specific event. Representatives from the Pre-Accession countries were invited to present their views and the state of the art on the topics concerned. Study tours were organised in order to exchange information between experts from the MS and experts from the Pre-Accession countries on the food safety systems and practical work at national level. In total 51 experts from the Pre-Accession countries participated in 4 study tours to the competent authorities in France, Spain, Denmark and Croatia. Agendas were prepared based on the inputs from the Pre-Accession countries and the assessment of their needs in cooperation with the host institutions. In total 292 Pre-Accession experts participated in 81 EFSA meetings (EFSA s Advisory Forum (AF), Advisory Forum Working Group on Communication (AFWGC), Focal Points (FP) and EFSA s scientific networks meetings, scientific colloquia, conferences, scientific events, workshops and EFSA`s meetings with stakeholders). The Advisory Forum, the Focal Points, and the dedicated networks are key vehicles for data and information exchange, consultation, and work sharing between EFSA and the MSs. These networks facilitate scientific cooperation through the coordination of activities, the exchange of information (e.g. on recent risk assessment activities or on data collection), the development and implementation of joint projects (e.g. scientific events and workshops), and the exchange of expertise and best practice in the fields within the EFSA s mission. Cooperation and coherence in communication has been implemented through the Advisory Forum Working Group on Communication. EFSA scientific colloquia are organised with the aim of deepening understanding of the fundamental scientific issues related to risk assessment of food and feed safety and to provide opportunity for the exchange of views. EFSA meetings with stakeholders aim to further enhance the transparency, openness and dialogue on EFSA work and the risk assessment process. Participation in the Programme activities provides the representatives from the food safety institutions in the Pre-Accession countries with an overall knowledge on EFSA and the EU food safety system, primarily within the area of risk assessment and risk communication. The Programme enables the Pre- Accession institutions and their experts to be involved in all mechanisms for information sharing established between EFSA and MSs. It provides a solid starting point for networking and creation of information exchange systems in preparation of the Pre-Accession countries food safety experts for their future active participation in EFSA networks. Furthermore, participation of the Pre-Accession experts in scientific and technical events organised by EFSA improved their knowledge on risk assessment and risk communication work. It contributed to capacity building in the Pre-Accession countries in these areas and expands their networks and collaboration with the EFSA and the MSs experts working in the same field. Supporting publications 2012:EN-342 2

3 EFSA will, within the on going Programme, further work with the Pre-Accession countries to build on the progress made in recent years. The focus will be put on the capacity building in the area of risk assessment and risk communication, rising visibility of EFSA and its work to the wider public in the Pre-Accession countries and overall improvement of the cooperation and networking between the Pre- Accession countries and EFSA. Supporting publications 2012:EN-342 3

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary... 1 Table of contents... 4 Mandate... 5 Objectives Institutional set-up and overall project organisation Organisation of seminars/workshops/trainings and study tours Seminars / workshops / trainings Study tours Reports, evaluation questionnaires and summary overview Pre-Accession experts participation in EFSA s meetings Visits to the Pre-Accession countries Overview of financial resources for the Pre-Accession activities Conclusions Appendices A. List of the coordinating institutions for the Programme in the Pre-accession countries B. Summary overview of seminars/workshops/trainings and study tours C. List of EFSA meetings where Pre-accession countries representatives could have participated as observers D. Overview of the financial resources for Pre-Accession activities Table 1: Financial resources for the Programme Table 2: Financial resources for the Programme Abbreviations Supporting publications 2012:EN-342 4

5 MANDATE The Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 establishing the new Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) was adopted on 17 July It replaces the previous pre-accession financial instruments (PHARE, ISPA, SAPARD, CARDS and the Turkish pre-accession instrument). The IPA came into force on 1 January 2007 bringing all pre-accession support into a single, focused instrument. It covers the countries with candidate status (currently Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey) and potential candidate status (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo). During the last years Montenegro (since December 2010) and Serbia (since March 2012) have become Candidate countries and Croatia became Accession country (since December 2011) and is expected to join the EU on 1 July Today there are therefore: 1 Accession country (Croatia), 4 Candidate countries (Montenegro, Serbia, FYR of Macedonia and Turkey) and 3 Potential Candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo). Food safety is an important issue during the accession negotiations. Therefore it is essential that the Accession country, the Candidate countries and the Potential Candidate countries are informed about and involved in the operations of EFSA, making possible to take part in its operations on an equal footing with current MSs upon their accession. Although the Accession country and the Candidate countries have food and feed safety infrastructure in place, there is a need to build both - the capacities and the contacts / links with EFSA and the MSs and vice versa. For the Potential Candidate countries there is a need to update the food and feed safety infrastructure even though much progress has been achieved during the last years. The EFSA`s Founding Regulation 178/2002 states (Article 23) that EFSA provides scientific and technical assistance when requested to do so by the EC, with a view to improve cooperation between the Community, applicant countries, international organisations and third countries in the fields within its mission. Based on this provision, EFSA concluded an Agreement with the EC within the framework of the EU enlargement. Under the IPA, based on the Agreement between EFSA and the EC, EFSA has implemented the programme entitled: Preparatory Measures for the Participation of the Candidate countries and the Potential Candidate countries in EFSA In the last quarter of 2011, based on the new Agreement, EFSA has started to implement the new programme entitled: Preparatory Measures for the Participation of the Candidate countries and the Potential Candidate countries in EFSA , financed by the European Community. EFSA is working with the Pre- Accession countries to promote understanding of its work, share expertise, create information exchange mechanisms, and involve the national authorities in crisis coordination exercises. These activities cover the full range of the EFSA s remit. EFSA is committed to continue to support the EC in delivering these programmes with the objective of strengthening scientific cooperation and networking, as described in EFSA s strategic approach 4 to its international activities. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the programme are to: prepare the competent bodies in the Candidate and Potential Candidate countries which are active in the fields relating to the work carried out by EFSA, for their future participation in EFSA networks and fora; contribute to the creation of communication and information exchange systems enabling future participation of Candidate and Potential Candidate countries in the EFSA networks and fora; 4 EFSA s strategic approach to its international activities. Available online: Supporting publications 2012:EN-342 5

6 transfer knowledge on methodologies used in the fields in the remit of EFSA, in particular on risk assessment and data collection; support the Candidate and Potential Candidate countries in their communication activities linked to risk assessment; transfer information on EFSA experiences and experiences from MSs on co-operation with the stakeholders. This report presents main activities implemented under the EFSA Pre-Accession Programme and budget spent, from April 2009 until June 2012, specifically: 1. institutional set-up and the Programme organisation; 2. organisation of seminars / workshops / trainings and study tours for the Pre-Accession countries; 3. organisation and support of the Pre-Accession expert s participation in EFSA meetings (AF, AFWGC, FP, EFSA s scientific networks, scientific colloquia, conferences, scientific events, workshops and EFSA meetings with the stakeholders); 4. visits to the Pre-Accession countries and support of regional and national events in the Pre- Accession countries; 5. overview of financial resources for the Pre-Accession Activities. Supporting publications 2012:EN-342 6

7 1. INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP AND OVERALL PROJECT ORGANISATION The AFSCO Unit (the Pre-Accession team) is responsible for the implementation of the Programme activities and it cooperates and liaises with the Pre-Accession countries food safety institutions, other EFSA units, MSs authorities and the EC in order to ensure and to organise the Pre-Accession experts` participation in EFSA s events and networks and to identify topics and speakers for seminars/workshops/trainings and study tours. It runs the day to day cooperation with the contact points in the Pre-Accession countries, provides support (in collaboration with other EFSA units) to the Pre-Accession countries on specific queries which are covered by the remit of EFSA and keeps them informed on the developments and activities in EFSA and the EU food safety system. In order to ensure better monitoring and control over the general implementation of the Programme activities, as well as to facilitate the planning of future activities, the EFSA Pre-Accession Steering Committee was established with members from all the Scientific Directorates, the Communication Directorate, the Finance Unit and the Executive Office Unit. The Pre-Accession team is composed of a Pre-Accession Coordinator, a Policy Officer and supported by the AFSCO secretariat and throughout the Programme, assisted by EFSA staff from the scientific units and the Communications Directorate. The Pre-Accession countries have different structures and institutional competences for carrying out risk analysis in food safety. In order to ensure the implementation of the Programme in the beneficiary countries, to enhance the cooperation with the national food safety authorities and to strengthen the exchange of information, national coordinators for the Programme have been appointed in all 8 Pre- Accession countries. The appointment has been done via the EU Delegations in the countries (see appendix A - List of coordination institutions in the Pre-Accession countries). The main responsibility for the National Coordinator is to create a network of institutions in the country with similar tasks as EFSA`s for dissemination and sharing information on EFSA s activities. The national coordinators are also responsible for the identification of the experts from their national networks for participation in the Programme activities. The target groups are the competent authorities for food and feed safety in the Pre-Accession countries, in particular those with a similar remit as EFSA`s. Assistant Coordinators are funded by the Programme, so far in 3 Candidate countries (Croatia, FYR of Macedonia and Turkey). The role of Assistant Coordinators is to take care of the practical work on the implementation of the Programme activities at the national level and to raise the visibility of EFSA and the Pre-Accession Programme in their countries (see the organisational chart on the next page). Supporting publications 2012:EN-342 7

8 EFSA EFSA Pre-Accession Steering Committee European Commission (Agreement on IPA Programme) Member States Authorities AFSCO Pre-accession team Speakers from European Commission Coordinating institution in the Pre-Accession countries National coordinators and Assistant coordinators Network of institutions and experts involved in food safety area in the country Organisational chart of the institutional set-up of the Programme At the beginning of the Programme, AFSCO needed information on the needs and priorities on food safety in the Pre-Accession countries. This information was collected via meetings with the food safety authorities in the 8 countries and via questionnaires and information on their national food safety systems provided by the Programme beneficiaries. In addition, EFSA prepared questionnaires for each seminar / workshop / training for the participants from the Pre-Accession countries and received replies to these questionnaires were used to improve the cooperation with the authorities within the Programme. The participants gave feedback and valued suggestions at each event. Activities are monitored throughout the whole Programme and the resources are used where the EFSA Pre-Accession Steering Committee had seen possibilities for improvements. The scientific community is operating internationally and many scientific experts from the Pre- Accession countries speak English but there are still some who do not speak English well enough. Therefore it was decided to offer language interpretation at most of the seminars. Since the start of the Programme, EFSA has decided to dedicate a place on its website where it would be possible to follow the developments of the Programme, in the spirit of openness and transparency (available online: The Pre-Accession countries have also developed web pages on their institutional websites where general information about EFSA and the Pre-Accession Programme activities are published. Some promotes the EFSA Expert Database, calls for EFSA`s Scientific Committee and Panels, as well as important EFSA public announcements, such as press releases and opinions. In order to disseminate information on the implemented Programme activities to wider public in the countries, some of the coordinating institutions translated EFSA materials and publish them on their websites in their languages. Supporting publications 2012:EN-342 8

9 Croatia FYR of Macedonia Montenegro Serbia Turkey Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Kosovo EFSA Pre-accession Programme 2. ORGANISATION OF SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/TRAININGS AND STUDY TOURS 2.1 Seminars / workshops / trainings As a part of the Programme the focus was put on in depth seminars / workshops / trainings in the various areas of the EFSA s remit. In total, 371 participants from the Pre-Accession countries participated in the 9 EFSA seminars/workshops/trainings (see Figures 1 and 2) Total Candidate countries Potential Candidate countries* No. of participants Figure 1: Number of participants in Programme seminars/workshops/trainings (*Montenegro (since December 2010) and Serbia (since March 2012) have become Candidate countries) No. of participants No. of seminars / workshops / trainings Figure 2: Number of participants and seminars/workshops/trainings per Pre-Accession country In order to be able to meet better the beneficiaries` needs and expectations, the Programme topics were defined via questionnaires which were sent to the coordinating institutions and also distributed in the beneficiaries countries during consultative meetings between the EFSA Pre-Accession Steering Committee and the national Competent Authorities. The majority of the seminars / workshops / trainings were organised directly in the Pre-Accession countries, ensuring a high level of participation of the country representatives and the cost efficacy. Supporting publications 2012:EN-342 9

10 Croatia FYR of Macedonia Montenegro Serbia Turkey Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Kosovo Member State European Commission EFSA (staff / Panel members) Pre-accession countries EFSA Pre-accession Programme Many EFSA`s experts and panel members were involved in the implementation of the seminars / workshops / trainings. Speakers from MSs participated in order to inform the Pre-Accession representatives on the developments in their countries and also exchange views on the seminar / workshop / training topics. Representatives from the Pre-Accession countries were invited to present the state of the art on the topics concerned. Where relevant and possible also speakers from the EC contributed. The total number of speakers reached 100 (see Figure 3) No. of speakers Figure 3: Number of speakers in seminars/workshops/trainings 2.2 Study tours The study tours were organised as a two-day exchange between experts from MS and experts from the Pre-Accession countries on food safety information and practical work at national level. Topics and agendas were prepared based on suggestions from the Pre-Accession countries, assessment of their needs and suggestions from the hosting MSs. In total, 51 experts participated in four study tours, specifically to France, Spain, Denmark and Croatia (see Figure 4). The high number of participants (16) from the FYR of Macedonia was due to the fact that this country joined the EFSA Pre-Accession Programmes in 2008 while Turkey and Croatia had participated since 2006 and therefore had the opportunity to join a previous study tours No. of participants from Pre-accession countries Figure 4: Number of participants in Study tours per Pre-accession country Supporting publications 2012:EN

11 2.3 Reports, evaluation questionnaires and summary overview on seminars / workshops / trainings and study tours Each seminar / workshop / training and study tour was assessed with the objective to improve the performance and to determine the topics for the future events under the Programme. Therefore the evaluation questionnaires have been distributed to the participants of each event to get their feedback. Their replies demonstrated that they have significantly improved their knowledge on food safety and on the work of EFSA, the MSs and the EC, in this area. The questionnaires outcome shows that the participants were generally very satisfied; the speeches were very good and informative. Reports, including the outcomes of the questionnaires from the 9 seminars / workshops / trainings and 4 study tours, are published on EFSA website (available online: The summary overview on seminars / workshops / trainings and study tours is presented in the Appendix B of this report. 3. PRE-ACCESSION EXPERTS PARTICIPATION IN EFSA S MEETINGS(AF, AFWGC, FP, EFSA S SCIENTIFIC NETWORKS, COLLOQUIES, CONFERENCES SCIENTIFIC EVENTS, WORKSHOPS AND EFSA MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS) In total, 292 Pre-Accession experts participated in 81 EFSA meetings (including EFSA s Advisory Forum, Advisory Forum Working Group on Communication, Focal Points and EFSA s scientific networks meetings, scientific colloquia, conferences, scientific events, workshops and EFSA meetings with stakeholders) (see Figures 5 and Figure 6) Candidate countries Potential Candidate countries* No. of participants No. of meetings Figure 5: Number of participants and meetings per Candidate countries and Potential Candidate countries (*Montenegro (since December 2010) and Serbia (since March 2012) have become Candidate countries) Supporting publications 2012:EN

12 Croatia FYR of Macedonia Montenegro Serbia Turkey Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Kosovo EFSA Pre-accession Programme No. of participants Figure 6: Number of participants per Pre-Accession country Regular participation of the Pre-Accession experts in EFSA s Advisory Forum, Advisory Forum Working Group on Communication, Focal Point and EFSA s scientific networks meetings and access to the Information Exchange Platform enables the countries to participate in EFSA networks and to share information on risk assessment and risk communication work with EFSA and the MSs. Participation in EFSA`s scientific colloquia, conferences, scientific events and workshops provides them with the better understanding of the fundamental scientific issues related to risk assessment of food and feed safety. In the Annex C, there is a list of the EFSA meetings where Pre-Accession countries representatives could participate as observers, including information on the number of meetings where the Pre-Accession expert s participation was funded by the Programme and in addition, the number of participants per meetings from April 2009 until June Evaluation of the meeting reports submitted from the Pre-Accession experts after each EFSA meeting has shown that their participation as observers at EFSA s meetings enables them to stay informed on the developments in EFSA and on MS`s work in risk assessment and communication area. It gives them opportunity to share their experience and difficulties in their work with experts from the same field and to extend the network of people with experience in the same field. Experts gained the access to the EFSA Sciencenet (Extranet) for almost all network workspaces which is a valuable source of information and scientific documents. 4. VISITS TO THE PRE-ACCESSION COUNTRIES The EFSA Pre-Accession team, with the representatives from the EFSA Pre-Accession Steering Committee carried out visits to the Pre-Accession countries. In order to further improve cooperation with the Pre-Accession countries, specific scientific and technical areas were identified which should be addressed under the Programme to inform / update the partners in the Pre-Accession countries on EFSA and on the development on food safety system. From April 2009 until June 2012, seven visits were organised to the Pre-Accession countries (Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia). In addition, the Programme funded 1-2 speakers from the MSs or EFSA for regional, national and international events in Turkey, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Supporting publications 2012:EN

13 5. OVERVIEW OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR THE PRE-ACCESSION ACTIVITIES The Programme and Programme are externally funded by the EU budget earmarked for enlargement. For that reason EFSA cooperates with DG Enlargement in the European Commission on all matters concerning the budget execution. The overview of financial resources is presented in the Appendix D of this report. Supporting publications 2012:EN

14 CONCLUSIONS The EU enlargement carries with it the responsibility for the Authority to acquaint new countries and involve them appropriately; therefore the objective of the Programme is to prepare the Pre-Accession countries for participating in all relevant activities of EFSA where also Member States are involved, as far as envisaged by the legislation. Representatives from the Pre-Accession countries are invited to participate in the various EFSA activities in order to build contacts and to develop better understanding of the EFSA work. By participating in these activities, the Pre-Accession countries are getting more familiar with the overall EU food safety system and have got better understanding of the risk assessment, management and communication activities on food and feed safety at the European level. They gained insights into the work of EFSA with the aim to better understand the EFSA s mandate and role in food and feed safety and to integrate more efficiently in its work after the accession. EFSA also received insights from the Pre-Accession countries into their overall organisation of the food safety systems, and the work on risk assessment, data collection and risk communication. Due to the Pre-Accession Programme, EFSA is recognised as the leading risk assessor in the Pre- Accession countries. The scientific communities from these countries contribute in EFSAs activities and tools for cooperation, data exchange and networking. This provides the opportunity to extend the network of people with experience in the same field, and to share data and risk assessment methodologies, which is proved valuable to all involved parties. Cooperation tools establishes between the EFSA and the Pre-Accession countries are important for the assessment of the future emerging risk, that might occurs after the accession of these countries in the EU, thus requiring the cooperation between EFSA, MSs and the Pre-Accession countries for a sound data collection and analysis. EFSA will further work to build on the progress made within the Programme in recent years and will continue to involve the Pre-Accession countries in its work. In order to increase the risk assessment capacity in the Pre-Accession countries, EFSA will provide training courses on the principles and methods of the food safety risk assessment in different fields. Future activities will also be focusing on the improvement of collaboration between EFSA and the Pre-Accession countries and on improvement of visibility of EFSA and the Pre-Accession Programme in these countries. This will increase the involvement of the scientific community from the Pre-Accession countries in EFSA work, even though much progress has been achieved during the last years (Experts from the Pre-Accession countries are now well presented in EFSA Expert Data Base, around 23% of all the experts from third countries). EFSA will further support the development of national networks of the Pre-Accession food safety institutions. The proper functioning of the national networks is important for the successful implementation of the Pre-Accession Programme, for their networking with EFSA and the MSs, and for the future involvement in capacity building activities on risk assessment and risk communication foreseen under the Programme. Supporting publications 2012:EN

15 APPENDICES A. LIST OF THE COORDINATING INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROGRAMME IN THE PRE-ACCESSION COUNTRIES Country Institution Website Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Croatia FYR of Macedonia Montenegro Kosovo Albanian National Food Authority Autoriteti Kombëtar i Ushqimit Food Safety Agency B&H Agencija za sigurnost hrane Croatian Food Agency Hrvatska agencija za hranu Food and Veterinary Agency Агенција за храна и ветеринарство Veterinary Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Veterinarska uprava, Ministarstvo poljoprivrede i ruralnog razvoja Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency Agjencia e Ushqimit dhe Veterinarisë Serbia Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management Министарство пољопривреде, трговине и вбодопривреде Turkey Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock T.C. Gıda, Tarım ve Hayvancılık Bakanlığı Gıda Supporting publications 2012:EN

16 B. SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/TRAININGS AND STUDY TOURS No. Topic Description Relevance to Objectives Date 1. Seminar on Animal Health and Welfare (for FYR of Macedonia) Representatives of EFSA AHAW Unit (Animal Health and Welfare) presented EFSA s contribution to the improvement of animal health and welfare in Europe. Practical examples of risk assessment as the basis for EFSA scientific opinions were explained. Experts from the MSs shared their views and experience in the area of stunning, killing, transport, animal housing and management. Representatives from the FYR of Macedonia delivered presentations on their work and needs. The seminar provided the participants with an overall knowledge on the role of EFSA in the animal health and welfare area. The presented experience and work of the MSs will help the beneficiaries in understanding how this topic is dealt with on national level in MSs. Networking and information gathering as the first step in the preparation for the future participation in the EFSA networks. Meeting and discussing food safety topics with representatives from EFSA and the EU. The interaction with current MSs will give to the participants a starting point for their future participation in EFSA networks Jun 2009, Skopje 2. Seminar on Risk Assessment Methodology (for Croatia and FYR of Macedonia ) The aim of the meeting was to present the work of EFSA Assessment Methodology Unit (AMU) and its role in providing technical support in the field of statistics, modelling, data management and risk assessment. The AMU representatives presented the workflow for scientific reports and opinions using many practical examples. Experts from the MSs shared their views and experience on the risk assessment methodologies and the importance of scientific cooperation. Representatives from the two Candidate Countries delivered presentations on their work in this area, as well as the challenges they are facing. The seminar gave to the participants an overall knowledge on the EFSA`s role in the area of risk assessment and harmonisation of risk assessment methodologies. In particular, there were presentations of the new initiatives in the area of harmonisation of quantitative and qualitative scientific risk assessment methods and the development of new risk assessment approaches. Networking and information gathering as the first step in the preparation for the future participation in EFSA networks. Meeting and discussing food safety topics with representatives from EFSA and EU MSs gave to the participants a starting point for the Sep 2009, Dubrovnik Supporting publications 2012:EN

17 No. Topic Description Relevance to Objectives Date participation in EFSA networks. 3. Study Visit to the French Food Safety Agency, AFSSA, (for Croatia and FYR of Macedonia ) 8 representatives from each of the two Candidate Countries (Croatia and the FYR of Macedonia) visited to the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA). This study visit aimed to greater understanding between the two Candidate Countries` and a MS`s competent authorities leading to fostering future cooperation and harmonisation of technical procedures in the field of food safety risk assessment and risk management. Oct 2009, Paris, France 4. Seminar on EFSA in the EU Food Safety System (for 5 Potential Candidates countries ) The seminar presented the risk analysis framework and the division between the risk management and the risk assessment. The legal and institutional framework of the food safety and co-operation between EFSA and other EU Institutions was presented. Focus on Pan-European Food Safety cooperation. The seminar provided to the participants an overall knowledge on the role of EFSA in the EU food safety system. Networking and information gathering as the first step in the preparation for the future participation in EFSA networks. Meeting and discussing food safety topics with representatives from EFSA, the EU MSs and DG SANCO gave to the participants a starting point for the future participation in EFSA networks. Nov 2009, Budva, Montenegro 5. Study Visit to the Spanish Food Safety Agency AESAN (for FYR of Macedonia and Turkey) Participation in this study visit supported the competent authorities in the 2 beneficiary countries in acquiring the necessary knowledge, information and contacts for future partnerships necessary for achieving goals and targets for deployment of national food safety systems. The objective of this study tour is to exchange experiences and establish contacts between institutions. Mar 2010, Madrid, Spain 6. EFSA s most critical commitment was to provide The participants were informed about the Apr 2010, Supporting publications 2012:EN

18 No. Topic Description Relevance to Objectives Date Seminar on Different Approaches in Risk Analysis in the EU Food Safety (for Croatia, FYR of Macedonia and Turkey, plus 1 participant from each PCC) objective and independent science-based advice and clear communication grounded in the most up-to-date scientific information and knowledge. EFSA s scientific opinions and advice provide a sound foundation for European policies, legislation and risk management decisions. Representatives from the MSs presented different approaches in setting up of an efficient food safety system on the national level. Representatives from EFSA Communication Directorate presented practical examples of risk communication. European food safety system, where risk assessment is done independently from risk management. Different approaches to risk analysis in EU Member States were explained. EFSA experiences in risk communication contributed to creation of communication networks in Turkey. Antalya, Turkey 7. Seminar on Additives and Flavourings (for Croatia, FYR of Macedonia and Turkey, plus 1 participant from each PCC) The EFSA Panel on food additives and nutrient sources added to food (ANS) presented its work, i.e. the risk assessment in order to produce scientific opinions and advice for risk managers. Participants had the possibility to learn and discuss on questions of safety in the use of food additives, nutrient sources and other substances added to food. Practical examples of the Panel s work in the context of authorization procedures of specific substances like sources of vitamins and minerals and substances with functional properties were explained. The participants had possibility to learn about the technical procedures what expects to help in preparing themselves for further integration into EFSA networks. May 2010, Zagreb, Croatia 8. Seminar on Handling Crises (for 5 Potential Candidate countries) The workshop focused on how to handle a crises situation and included a crises exercise. Speeches from EFSA and the EU Member States on specific emergency case studies and how they had been handled. The workshop provided the participants with the introduction to the RASFF system and crises handling and assisted them in learning how to work with EFSA, the EC and the MSs in crises situations. Jun 2010, Parma, Italy Supporting publications 2012:EN

19 No. Topic Description Relevance to Objectives Date Speech on crisis communication. Potential Candidate countries presented their present systems for crises handling. Meeting speakers from the EU MSs and EFSA gave to the participants a starting point for the participation in EFSA networks. 9. Seminar on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies including Health Claims (for Croatia, FYR of Macedonia and Turkey, plus 1 participant from each PCC) Representatives from EFSA NDA Panel (Nutrition Unit) explained their work on evaluation of health claims performed to ensure that claims made on food labelling and advertising are meaningful and accurate, and can thereby help consumers in making healthy diet choices. The Panel s work in reviewing of scientific information and data was presented as a tool to evaluate risks, (for instance in relation to food allergies and novel foods), and to provide scientific advice concerning human nutrition and the nutritional value of foods, food ingredients and products. Representatives of the EC and 2 MSs (the UK and France) presented their work in the related fields from the risk management perspective. Participants had the possibility to discuss with EFSA representatives on questions related to dietetic products, human nutrition, food allergies and novel foods. The seminar supposes to contribute to further integration of the beneficiary countries in EFSA work. Sep 2010, Parma, Italy 10. Seminar on Chemical Contaminants and Emerging Risks (for Croatia, FYR of Macedonia and Turkey, plus 2 participants from each PCC) The seminar presented the work assigned to the EMRISK Unit (Emerging Risk). Representatives from the DCM Unit (Data Collection) explained their work in collection, collation and analysis of data on food consumption and chemical occurrence in food and feed. A case study of risk communication. Better understanding of the EMRISK Unit s work on establishing procedures to systematically collect up-to-date information and data in order to identify and analyse emerging risks in the field of food and feed safety. Better overview of EFSA initiatives in the area of scientific cooperation. The participant familiarized with EFSA s role in collecting food composition data and contribution to the scientific development and application of new exposure assessment methodologies which Apr 2011, Ankara, Turkey Supporting publications 2012:EN

20 No. Topic Description Relevance to Objectives Date supposes to add a value to their active participation in EFSA networks (e.g. participation in the Working Group on Food Consumption Data). 11. Study Visit for experts from the 5 Potential Countries Participation in this study visit supported the competent authorities in the 5 beneficiary countries in acquiring the necessary knowledge, information and contacts for future partnerships necessary for achieving goals and targets for deployment of national food safety systems. Exchange of experience and establishing contacts between institutions. Jun 2011, Copenhagen, Denmark 12. Study Visit to the Croatian Food Safety Agency, HAH (for Turkey) The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture could acquired important information on how to set-up a risk assessment unit / department. The Tour provided contacts for future partnerships with another Pre-Accession country important for achieving goals and targets for the national food safety systems. Exchange of experience and establishing contacts between institutions. Jun 2011, Osijek/ Zagreb Croatia 13. Seminar on Animal Health and Welfare (for all 8 Pre- Accession countries) The Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Unit presented EFSA s role in contributing to the improvement of animal health and welfare in Europe. Focus on risk assessment in animal health area, objectives, principles, organisation, approaches, role of scientific cooperation and the importance of AHAW scientific network. Practical examples of risk assessment in diseases (FMD and ASF) and welfare (broilers) were used to provide more clarity in the stages of risk The seminar provided the participants with an overall knowledge on the role of EFSA in the animal health and welfare. The presented experience and work of the MSs will help the beneficiaries in understanding how this topic is dealt with on national level in MSs. Networking and information gathering as the first step in the preparation for the future participation in the EFSA networks. Meeting and discussing food safety topics Jan 2012, Budva, Montenegro Supporting publications 2012:EN

21 No. Topic Description Relevance to Objectives Date assessment process. Practical examples of organisation and experience of risk assessment at national level were presented by speakers from ANSES (France) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Science. 8 Pre-Accession countries shared their views and situation of animal health and welfare, including implementation of legislation. with representatives from EFSA and the EU. MSs gave the participants a starting point for their future participation in EFSA networks. Supporting publications 2012:EN

22 C. LIST OF EFSA MEETINGS WHERE PRE-ACCESSION COUNTRIES REPRESENTATIVES COULD HAVE PARTICIPATED AS OBSERVERS Area Animal Health and Welfare Biological Hazards Dietary and Chemical Monitoring EFSA s Meetings Scientific Network for Risk Assessment in Animal Health and Welfare Scientific Network for Microbiological Risk Assessment Number of meetings from April 2009 until June 2012 Candidate Countries Participation allowed No. of Participants 3 11 Potential Candidate Countries* Participation allowed No. of Participants Scientific Network on BSE/TSE Expert Group for Chemical Occurrence Data Expert Group on Food Consumption Data Emerging Risks Emerging Risks Exchange Network 1 3 GMO Plant Health Pesticides Scientific Committee Scientific Network for Risk Assessment of GMOs Scientific Network for Risk Assessment in Plant Health Pesticide Steering Committee 7 19 Networking Group on Pesticide Monitoring 1 4 Pesticides Peer Review meetings 1 3 Scientific Network for Risk Assessment of Nanotechnologies in Food and Feed 2 7 Supporting publications 2012:EN

23 Area Biological Monitoring Advisory Forum and Scientific Cooperation EFSA s Meetings Network on Harmonization of RA methodologies (CCs) Task Force on Zoonoses Data Collection Task Force on Zoonoses Data Collection Special meeting on FBO Task Force meeting on Zoonoses Data Collection, special meetings on Antimicrobial Resistance Number of meetings from April 2009 until June 2012 Candidate Countries Participation allowed No. of Participants 1 4 EFSA Pre-accession Programme Potential Candidate Countries* Participation allowed No. of Participants Advisory Forum meetings Focal Point meetings 7 23 Communication AFWGC 8 21 Conferences Scientific Colloquia Others (AF special meetings, meetings with the Stakeholders, technical meetings, workshops, trainings and international symposiums) 8 27 Total Supporting publications 2012:EN

24 D. OVERVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR PRE-ACCESSION ACTIVITIES: PERIOD APRIL 2009 JUNE 2011 AND FOR PERIOD NOVEMBER 2011-JUNE 2012 Table 1: Financial resources for the Programme Total for the period April 2009 June 2011 No. Description Budget (EUR) 1. Seminars/workshops/trainings ,39 2. Study tours ,27 3. EFSA meetings ,14 4. Salary END (seconded national expert) ,11 5. Salaries Assistant Coordinators in the 3 CCs ,00 6. Translation of EFSA material 272,02 7. Printing of EFSA material ,05 TOTAL ,99 Supporting publications 2012:EN

25 Table 2: Financial resources for the Programme spent until June 2012 Total for the period November 2011 June 2012 No. Description Budget (EUR) 1. Seminars/workshops/trainings ,77 2. Study tours EFSA meetings Salary END (seconded national expert) ,86 5. Salaries Assistant Coordinators in the 3 CCs ,00 6. Translation of EFSA material Printing of EFSA material 00 TOTAL ,86 Supporting publications 2012:EN

26 ABBREVIATIONS AF EFSA Advisory Forum AFCWG EFSA Advisory Forum Working Group on Communication AFSCO EFSA Advisory Forum and Scientific Cooperation Unit CC EU Candidate Country EC European Commission EFSA European Food Safety Authority EU European Union FP EFSA Focal Point FYR of Macedonia Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia IPA Instrument for Pre Accession Assistance Kosovo - Kosovo under UNSCR 1244 MS EU Member State PCC EU Potential Candidate Country Supporting publications 2012:EN