EURUPE – European Commissioner David Byrne called for the European Commission to maintain its momentum in the creation of a European food safety authority (EFSA) on Monday.

In a statement, Byrne said: “I am determined to ensure that the momentum we have created on food safety continues.” He added: “The Commission is forging ahead to make the EFSA operational as soon as possible.” Byrne was speaking as the European Commission announced a short list of 30 candidates for the EFSA’s 15 member management board.

The board and executive director must be in place for the EFSA to operate. It is scheduled to open later this year.

The short list has now been sent to the European Parliament, which has three months to consider the candidates and express its views to the European Council. The Council will then select 14 members of the board, with the final member selected by the European Commission.