Supporting Publications 2012:EN-372 EVENT REPORT Pre-accession Study Visit to the Dutch Food Safety Authorities 1, 2 European Food Safety Authority European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy ABSTRACT The report from the Study tour to the Netherlands for the Pre-Accession countries is a part of the previewed reporting under the mandate from these Pre-Accession events, such as training seminars, workshops, study tours and joined events with Pre-Accession countries. The previous reports are available on the EFSA website under enlargement events at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/euenlargement/ipameetings.htm 1 On request from EFSA, Question No EFSA-Q-2012-00922 2 Disclaimer: The views or positions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent in legal terms the official position of the European Food Safety Authority. The European Food Safety Authority assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear. Any enquiries related to this output should be addressed to AFSCO.Secretariat@efsa.europa.eu Suggested citation: European Food Safety Authority; Pre-Accession Study Visit to the Dutch Food Safety Authorities. Supporting Publications 2012:EN-372 [8 pp.]. Available online: www.efsa.europa.eu/publications European Food Safety Authority, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract... 1 Table of contents... 2 Background information... 3 Programme... 3 Conclusions and recommendations... 4 Appendix I: Agenda... 5 Appendix II: List of Participants... 6 Appendix III: Results from the satisfaction survey... 7 2
BACKGROUND INFORMATION This study visit was organised as a part of EFSA Pre-Accession Programme 2011-2013 for Candidate and Potential Candidate Countries. Representatives from different institutions involved in the food safety system from Croatia, Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia took take part in the study visit. The overall objective of the Programme was to promote the understanding of EFSA s work, share expertise and create information exchange mechanisms in order to ensure that the national authorities of the beneficiary countries can participate effectively in the activities of EFSA both prior to accession and following accession to the EU. The participation in this Programme may contribute to the beneficiaries in familiarising themselves with the EU policies and working methods particularly focusing on from field to plate integrated approach to food safety. In particular, the study visit to the Dutch Food Safety Authorities gave the participants good knowledge on how the food safety authorities in the EU MS work and by that give them possibilities to improve their own work and also a good starting point for networking and sharing of information. Draft agenda enclosed as Annex I. PROGRAMME The study visit aimed to provide the participants with an overall knowledge on the role of the Dutch Food Safety Authorities in the area of risk assessment, risk communication and risk management. Experts from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) presented the risk analysis approaches. In particular following topics of interest for the three beneficiary countries were addressed: General organisation of food safety system in the Netherlands. The study tour provided a comprehensive overview on the overall organisation of the Food Safety system in the Netherlands including information on that risk assessment; risk communication and risk management are now in the same institution at the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). One of the risk assessor s tasks in the Netherlands is to give the risk managers various options for their decisions. NVWA gave some practical examples on how to do risk assessment based on information from the rapid alert system (RASSF). The study group visited RIKILT, the Dutch National Reference Laboratory in Wageningen and saw the facilities and got information on their tasks. The study tour also included a visit to a slaughter house where they explained the procedures and the importance they are given to animal welfare. At the Ministry of Agriculture the group got information on how the Dutch authorities work on risk management and crises handling with some practical examples e.g. on Q- fever. 3
This study visit provided a starting point for networking and creation of information exchange systems as the first step in preparation of the beneficiaries for their future participation in the EU networks. PARTICIPANTS Eleven participants attended the study tour (four participants from Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and three participants from Turkey) representing competent authorities at national level. Detailed list of participants enclosed in Annex II. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS This Study visit brought participants responsible for food safety policies together for two days intensive exchange of knowledge, experience and expertise. It was an excellent opportunity for the experts from the 3 beneficiary countries to meet experts and specialists from the Netherlands, to learn about and discuss issues of common interest, establish contacts for future cooperation and take ideas back home. The objective of this study tour was to support the competent authorities of the 3 beneficiary countries in acquiring the necessary knowledge, information and contacts for possible future partnership with the Dutch authorities who might support the achievement of goals and targets for deployment of their national food safety systems. The study tour provided a comprehensive overview on the regulatory and administrative aspects of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and also comprehensive information on the scientific work of the Dutch National Reference Laboratory RIKILT. The study visit provided a forum for discussion, exchange and learning on themes of common interest and on Dutch and national priorities enriching the flow of information between participating countries and the hosts. 4
APPENDICES APPENDIX I: AGENDA Study tour to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, Utrecht, Netherlands, 24-25 October 2012 24 October 2012 07.50-08.00 Meeting point at hotel main entrance 08.00-09.00 Traveling to the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) in Utrecht 09.00-09.10 Welcome and introduction at the Head Office of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) in Utrecht 09.10 09.20 Introduction of the Pre-accession participants 09.20 13.00 Overall organisation of the Food Safety system in the Netherlands: Risk management, risk assessment and risk communication institutions and actors involved and their cooperation, communication with the stakeholders on crises etc. How risk assessment process is done in the Netherland (data collection, collation, analysis, interpretation and dissemination; importance of food consumption data in exposure assessment/risk assessment process - e.g. food borne outbreaks reporting and investigation. Cooperation between the Dutch authorities and EFSA Discussion/questions 13.00-14.00 Lunch break 14.00-15.00 Travelling to the NVWA-Laboratory in Wageningen 15.00-16.00 Visiting the NVWA-Laboratory in Wageningen 16.00-16.30 Discussion/questions 16.30 - Return to the hotel Badhotel Scheveningen 20.00 Dinner at Dap & co, Restaurant Scheveningen, Den Haag 25 October 2012 07.50-80.00 Meeting point at hotel main entrance 08.00 09.00 Travelling to Veal-slaughterhouse 09.00-12.00 Visiting the Veal-slaughterhouse Introduction with the slaughterhouse (capacity, approval (local market/ export), risk control programmes (HACCP) microbiological criteria, official controls, waste management, Animal Welfare standards). On site visit. Discussion/questions. 12.00-13.00 Lunch break 13.00 14.00 Travelling back to the Head Office of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority in Utrecht. 14.00-16.40 Organisation of Food safety management system in the Netherland. The development and implementation of an integrated national food safety policy and strategy. Integrated Multi Annual National Control Plan & Annual Control Plan. Crisis management and contingency plans. Risk based control activity. 16.40-17.00 Discussion/questions. 17.00 Return to Badhotel Scheveningen 5
APPENDIX II: LIST OF PARTICIPANTS No. FAMILY NAME NAME INSTITUTION THE PARTICIPANTS FROM CROATIA 1. Mihaela Lukačević Topić Ministry of Agriculture 2. Pašalić Marija Ministry of Health 3. Jurkovic Martina Croatian Food Agency 4. Hengl Brigita Croatian Food Agency THE PARTICIPANTS FROM TURKEY 5. Budak Nurseren Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock 6. Neslihan Alper Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock 7. Arican Oznur Fulya Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock THE PARTICIPANTS FROM THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA 8. Janevski Blazho Food and Veterinary Agency 9. Stojanoska Kata Food and Veterinary Agency 10. Runtevski Dejan Food and Veterinary Agency 11. Tomeska-Mickova Svetlana Food and Veterinary Agency THE PARTICIPANT FROM EFSA ON THE STUDY VISIT Advisory Forum and Scientific Cooperation 12. Sheye Finn Unit, EFSA 6
APPENDIX III: RESULTS FROM THE SATISFACTION SURVEY At the end of the meeting participants were asked to take a part in satisfaction survey. Eleven experts from the three IPA countries attended the study tour of which nine participants answered to the evaluation questionnaire. The survey results show that 78% of participants found the overall value of the workshop to be excellent or very good (see table 1). Table 1: Satisfaction survey results: Question / Rating Excellent (%) Very Good (%) Good (%) Fair (%) Poor (%) Meeting venue and materials Hotel and meeting 67 33 0 0 0 room Written material 50 50 0 0 0 The speakers and their presentations Presentation skills 44 56 0 0 0 Responsiveness to questions 56 44 0 0 0 Content 11 78 11 0 0 Audio-visual aid 33 56 11 0 0 How did this workshop improve your knowledge on the 22 34 44 0 0 topics? How was the overall value of workshop for you? Were the speeches Did you feel you had enough opportunities to express your opinion? 22 56 22 on the right level? (%) too technical? (%) too basic? (%) 100 0 0 Yes (%) Partly (%) No (%) 100 0 0 0 0 7
Participant s suggestion on future topics for study tours: Data bases Risk communication Each step of risk assessment Detailed information on chemical/biological risk assessment Much more examples of risk assessment and exercises. The participants had the following comments/suggestions to improve future events: Less travelling more knowledge Less time on the road. 8