Workshop on the Food Risk analysis
framework
The Food Safety Council of Cyprus (FSC) and the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) co-organize a Workshop on the “Food Risk analysis framework”,
held on 22-23 September 2015, in Larnaka. The aim of the workshop is the exchange of knowledge and best
practices in risk assessment and risk analysis work between the experts from
National Food Authorities in Cyprus (participating in the FSC), EU neighboring
countries (ENP) and EFSA. Particular focus was put on risk assessment
methodologies and management strategies for contaminants in food such as heavy
metals, pesticides and mycotoxins .
More than 50 participants are attending the workshop from National Food Authorities of Cyprus and the lead ENP countries
(Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco and Palestine). The experts offer the
opportunity to participants to actively involve themselves and take part in
discussions in order to exchange their views, information and working practice.
The presence of the Minister of Health of Cyprus, Dr George
Pamborides, and the EFSA’s Executive Director, Dr Bernhard Url, at the Workshop
underlines the importance EFSA attaches to working with the member states of
European Union (EU) to achieve the goal of improved relations with the EU
neighboring countries in the field of food safety.
During a Press Conference given in the context of the
two-day Workshop, Dr Url had the opportunity to stress the role of
EFSA towards the EU member states and the ENP Countries, the role of
Cyprus on food safety issues and the cooperation of Cyprus with EFSA in Food
Risk Assessment and emerging risks related to the food chain. The FSC representative, Dr Popi Kanari, Director of the State General
Laboratory of Cyprus, who is also a member of the Advisory Forum of EFSA, also
emphasized the role of Cyprus and highlighted the important role of the country,
as the frontier of Europe with East Mediterranean countries, in the area of Food
Safety.
The State General Laboratory of Cyprus as well as the other relevant
national Competent Authorities, that participate in the FSC, such as the Public
Health Services of the Ministry of Health, the Veterinary Services and the
Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and
Environment, have the scientific capacity to play this serious role in European
Affairs.
The Workshop is organized in the framework of the EFSA European Neighbourhood Programme (ENP)
2014-2016, financed by the European Commission, in cooperation with the FSC. The
ENP Programme aims to strengthen relations between EFSA and neighbouring
countries, encouraging dialogue and exchange of knowledge and best practices.
The event provides forum for discussion on future ENP activities and areas of
possible cooperation between EFSA, ENP countries and Food Authorities of Cyprus.
