Italy will hand over the EU Presidency to Ireland at the start of 2004. Food safety, close to the heart of the Commission and Europe, will be the focus of an international conference organised by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
In conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, the conference - to take place on the 11 - 12 March - will coincide with an open meeting of the management board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Ireland on 10 March.
A three pillar structure dominates the Commission's approach to food safety policy. Firstly an effective range of food safety legislation, secondly the brand new European Food Safety Authority and thirdly, the development of a new approach to official controls.
To achieve these goals, Member States and their respective food control authorities will be required to develop national multi-annual control plans, including contingency plans in case of emergency. Central authorities will have to ensure that the work of control authorities at regional and local levels are effective and co-ordinated and that auditing systems are in place to monitor efficacy.
According to the organisers, the aim of the conference is to provide a forum where the requirements and impact of the new food policies in Europe can be fully explored by food control agencies. The goal will be to identify where the risk management strategies of Member States and Candidate Countries can be harmonised, if possible or desirable, in the best interest of protecting consumers.
Officially opened by the Irish Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin, the conference will include speakers from the European Commission and the EFSA.