(1)

It is vital to ensure the independence, high scientific quality, transparency and efficiency of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is also indispensable to ensure the cooperation of EFSA with Member States.

(2)

Regulation (EU) 2019/1381 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) amended Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 as regards, inter alia, the composition of the EFSA Management Board.

(3)

Pursuant to Article 10(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1381, the term of office of the members of the EFSA Management Board in office on 30 June 2022 will expire on that date. The members and alternate members of the EFSA Management Board whose term of office is to start on 1 July 2022 are to be appointed in accordance with the new procedure for nomination and appointment introduced by Regulation (EU) 2019/1381.

(4)

The Council, by means of its Decision of 7 April 2022 (3), has already appointed representatives of Member States as members and alternate members of the EFSA Management Board.

(5)

The new procedure for nomination and appointment introduced by Regulation (EU) 2019/1381 requires that the EFSA Management Board also include four members and four alternate members with the right to vote as representatives of civil society and food chain interests, namely one member and one alternate member from consumer organisations, one member and one alternate member from environmental non-governmental organisations, one member and one alternate member from farmers organisations, and one member and one alternate member from industry organisations.

(6)

The members and alternate members representing civil society and food chain interests are to be appointed by the Council in consultation with the European Parliament on the basis of a list drawn up by the Commission. Their term of office is four years and can be renewed only once.

(7)

The candidates included in the list submitted by the Commission have been selected following a call for expression of interest on the basis of their relevant experience and expertise in the field of food-chain law and policy, including risk assessment, as well as relevant expertise in the fields of managerial, administrative, financial and legal matters.

(8)

The list submitted by the Commission has been examined, with a view to appointing the four members and four alternate members of the EFSA Management Board representing civil society and food chain interests, on the basis of the documentation provided by the Commission and in light of the views expressed by the European Parliament. The appointment, by means of this Decision, of those members and alternate members further secures the highest standard of competence and the broadest range of relevant experience and expertise available in the field of food chain law and policy, including risk assessment, whilst ensuring that there is relevant expertise in the fields of managerial, administrative, financial and legal matters within the EFSA Management Board,