Risk assessment, communication, resilience: increased German-Moldovan cooperation BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment President Andreas Hensel negotiates with partner organisations
What it's about:
German-Moldovan cooperation in the field of food safety is set to be further expanded. With a focus on exchanging knowledge on scientific risk assessment, strengthening transparent risk communication, developing strategies for resilience in the food chain, and modernising laboratory infrastructure and procedures, the aim is to support Moldova on its path to EU membership.
Against this backdrop, Professor Andreas Hensel, President of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment), visited the Moldovan National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) and the National Centre for Plant Health, Animal Health and Food Safety (IP CNSAPSA) from 11 to 14 August 2025. The agenda also included meetings with the Moldovan Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Ludmila Catlabuga, and a representative of the EU Delegation in Moldova, Ilona Gruenewald.
The trip follows a visit by a Moldovan delegation to the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment on 8 July 2025, during which a joint declaration of intent was signed. Its aim is to strengthen the exchange of knowledge on risk assessment and risk communication in the field of food and feed safety and to promote the transfer of knowledge and experience.
In light of Moldova’s status as an EU candidate country and the ongoing accession negotiations, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment reaffirmed its willingness to support Moldova in implementing Chapter 12 of the EU acquis and thus on its path to EU membership. The EU acquis comprises all the rights and obligations binding for EU Member States; Chapter 12 relates to food safety, and veterinary and plant protection policy.
The discussions with ANSA focused on implementing the declaration of intent signed in Berlin. The aim of this declaration is to strengthen the exchange of knowledge at a technical level and to expand scientific and technological cooperation through research and cooperation programmes. In addition, regular meetings are planned in Moldova and Germany, the first of which took place during the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment President’s visit.
During the dialogue, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to developing the German-Moldovan partnership in the field of food safety. The Agency’s Director General, Radu Musteața, emphasised that the cooperation provides ANSA access to expertise in the field of scientific risk assessment and that this is an important step, given Moldova’s status as a candidate for EU membership, towards achieving European Union standards in terms of food safety and consumer protection. BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment President Andreas Hensel stated that the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment was willing to provide support to strengthen the Republic of Moldova’s capacity to respond to potential crises in the area of food safety.
The meeting with Moldovan Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Ludmila Catlabuga addressed the exchange of best practices in scientific risk assessment and risk management in the food chain. Other topics included the modernisation of laboratory infrastructure and procedures necessary for the uniform implementation of European legislation. Both sides agreed to focus cooperation on three areas. The first is strengthening risk assessment and risk management capacities in the food chain, including through practical training for inspectors. The second is developing laboratory infrastructure and procedures to support the implementation of European standards. The third focus is on risk communication which informs the public and the economy about prevention and response measures as an integral part of food safety.
In the next step, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and its Moldovan partner organisations will further define the most important areas for cooperation and set a timetable for the next activities.
Further information on the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment website
- Communication “Moldova and Germany: Joint declaration for more food safety” Got to communication