Meeting of the European Food Safety Authority Advisory Forum - European Agencies

Agenda highlights

Within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, the 99th Advisory Forum meeting of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will take place on 4 and 5 March 2026 in Pafos.

The EFSA Advisory Forum includes representatives from the National Food Safety Authorities of the EU member states and of Iceland and Norway. Observers from Switzerland and the EU candidate countries also attend the Advisory Forum meetings.

Each national authority is responsible for risk assessment in the food chain at national level, although their exact role may vary from country to country. Scientific cooperation between the EFSA and member states is crucial to help build food safety risk assessment capacity across Europe and effectively address the needs of risk managers.

The EFSA and member states join forces through the Forum to address European issues of food safety risk assessment and risk communication. Members use the Forum to advise the EFSA on scientific issues, its work programme and priorities and to identify emerging risks. Members aim to exchange scientific information, pool resources and coordinate work programmes with and within the EFSA, especially for exchanging scientific data, coordinating activities and risk communication strategies, addressing various issues and views, and coordinating work.

The EFSA Advisory Forum is crucial in that it acts as a bridge between the EFSA and the national food safety authorities across the EU, Norway and Iceland to ensure coordinated risk assessment and consistent, science-driven food policy. It plays a key role in pooling expertise, identifying emerging risks and preventing the duplication of scientific work.