Two weeks ago, the EU decided on a budget of €65.9m for EFSA's 2008-2013 plans, which represents an increase of 27 per cent. The reflects an increase in staff of around 35 per cent and the strengthening of operational activities. The budget was decided on the back of the continually growing numbers of health claims that place legislative demands on EFSA in regards to nutrition. Added to this is the increasing number of food additives, improving agents, pesticides and plant health products entering the market, which require safety examinations. According to EFSA spokesperson Lucia de Luca, likely challenges in 2008 will include the assessment of novel nano-particles in food, animal cloning and the application of qualified presumption of safety in microbiological risk assessment. De Luca told FoodNavigator.com that one of the main challenges will be to prioritise workload of the panels and units and provide sufficient support to enable them to meet the required deadlines. Patrick Wall, Chair of EFSA's management board said: "The work programme agreed will keep EFSA focused on its primary goal of providing objective science-based risk assessments to underpin EU food safety policies. "EFSA has still a lot of challenges to face, it is the role of the board to ensure EFSA attracts the top scientists from the EU and beyond and has the structures and process in place to operate both efficiently and effectively." The board also agreed the list of Romanian and Bulgarian organisations that are now officially part of the Article 36 list of bodies nominated to assist EFSA in its scientific or communications tasks. This follows the strategy on networking and cooperation with member states, and the establishment of the list of Art. 36 organisations already adopted by the board in December 2006. The principles for guiding EFSA's work in 2008 include:
- Remaining flexible to adapt to a changing environment and face new challenges while focusing on prioritising its workload to respond to the needs of the EU food safety system;
- Tackling new challenges posed by emerging risks and technological advances;
- Taking into account the growing need for scientific advice in new areas such as nutrition and animal health as well as the environmental risk assessment of GMOs;
- Networking with member states and increasing EFSA's presence at an international level.
EFSA is funded by the European Union and provides risk assessment regarding food and feed safety. The 2008 Management Plan will be formally approved by written procedure in the next few weeks.