In its role as a central, national Focal Point,
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment co-ordinates the exchange of scientific information between the European Food Safety Authority (
EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority), the public authorities responsible for food and feed safety in Germany, stakeholders from economic, political and scientific circles and representatives of consumer associations. Focal Points have been set up in all 28 Member States of the European Union (EU). The task of the Focal Points is to support the members of the
EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority Advisory Board which is the interface between the national authorities in Member States and
EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority itself. The President of
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel, is the German member on the Advisory Board. In this context, the risk assessment activities of the individual Member States are to be co-ordinated on the European level. The goal of these measures is to bundle existing European knowledge about health risks associated with foods and, in this way, to place food safety in Europe on the highest possible scientific level. In Germany
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has been appointed as the Focal Point for this scientific co-ordination work.
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment was proposed by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (
BMELshort forGerman Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture). As the national co-ordination office
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is an important mediator between
EFSAshort forEuropean Food Safety Authority and the competent federal ministries: the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (
BMELshort forGerman Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture), the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).