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2008 discharge: European Food Safety Authority EFSA

2009/2123(DEC)

PURPOSE: to present the final accounts of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for the financial year 2008.

CONTENT: this document sets out a detailed account of the implementation of the European Food Safety Authority’s budget for the financial year 2008. It notes that the final budget amounted to EUR 66.4 million (compared to EUR 52.2 million in 2007), representing a 100% Community contribution.

As regards the staffing policy, the Authority, whose head office is based in Parma (Italy), officially set out 335 posts in its establishment plan. 318 are currently occupied with 77 other staff (auxiliary staff, contract staff and seconded national experts) totalling 395 posts assigned to administrative and operational duties.

In 2008, the Authority’s main activities can be summarised as follows:

Assessment and scientific advice

  • Opinions: 311
  • Statements: 12
  • Other technical and scientific reports: 37
  • Total scientific opinions and statements: 360

Enhance risk assessment methodologies and coordinate scientific networks

  • Guidance documents: 29
  • Data collection reports: 21
  • Other technical and scientific reports: 79

Communicate scientific advice and facilitate dialogue with interested parties

  • Scientific opinions supported by communication activities: 20%
  • Public consultations: 38
  • Web visits: 2.1 million
  • Highlights subscribers: 21 140
  • Media coverage in articles and audiovisual news pieces: 11 652
  • Media queries: 676
  • Press releases: 30
  • Web News stories: 39
  • Interviews: 123

The complete version of the final accounts may be found at the following address: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/funding/accounts.htm