Resources made available to the Agency in 2008

Competences of the Agency as defined in Commission Decision (2004/858/EC) of 15 December 2004 amended by Commission Decision (2008/544/EC) of 20 June 2008

A high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities. Community action, which shall complement national policies, shall be directed towards improving public health, preventing human illness and diseases, and obviating sources of danger to human health. Such action shall cover the fight against the major health scourges, by promoting research into their causes, their transmission and their prevention, as well as health information and education. The Community shall complement the Member States’ action in reducing drugs-related health damage, including information and prevention. (Article 152 of the Treaty) In order to promote the interests of consumers and to ensure a high level of consumer protection, the Community shall contribute to protecting the health, safety and economic interests of consumers, as well as to promoting their right to information, education and to organise themselves in order to safeguard their interests. (Article 153 of the Treaty)

Objectives The Agency is responsible for carrying out the implementation tasks for the management of the second Public Health Programme 2008-2013 as adopted by Decision No 1350/2007/EC, the Consumer programme for 2007-2013 as adopted by Decision No 1926/2006/EC and the food safety training measures covered by Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 and Directive 2000/29/EC. The Agency also manages all the phases in the lifetime of the implementing measures delegated to it in the framework of the programme of Community action in the field of public health 2003-2008, adopted by Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002.

Tasks Under the Community programmes mentioned below, The Agency is responsible for implementing the following tasks as defined in the delegation act adopted on of 9 September 2008 (14): Public Health Programme 2003-2008 — Decision No 1786/2002/EC Public Health Programme 2008-2013 — Decision No 1350/2007/EC Consumers Programme 2007-2013 — Decision No 1926/2006/EC Food Safety Training Measures — Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 and Directive 2000/29/EC: (a) managing all the phases of the cycle of projects (for monitoring and dissemination purposes, the Agency shall take the necessary steps to create a database of projects or to continue an existing one, incorporating a project description and the final results); (b) monitoring projects implemented under these programmes and measures including the necessary checks; (c) collecting, processing and distributing data and in particular compiling, analysing and transmitting to the Commission all information required to guide implementation of the Community programmes and measures, promote coordination and synergy with other programmes of the Communities, the Member States or international organisations; (d) organising meetings, seminars, talks, and training measures; (e) helping to evaluate the programme’s impact, in particular the annual and/or mid term evaluation of implementation of the programmes, and implementing the follow-up actions on evaluations decided by the Commission; (f) disseminating the results of the information operations planned and implemented by the Commission; (g) producing overall control and supervision data; (h) participating in preparatory work on financing decisions.

1 — Steering Committee Comprises five members appointed by the European Commission. The members of the Steering Committee are appointed for two years. It adopts the Agency’s annual work programme after approval by the European Commission. In addition, it adopts the administrative budget of the Agency and its annual activity report. 2 — Director Appointed by the European Commission for four years. 3 — External audit The European Court of Auditors. 4 — Discharge Authority The European Parliament following a recommendation from the Council.

Budget The Agency’s administrative budget for 2008 amounted to 4,4 million euro. Staff at 31 December 2008 On 31 December 2008, the Agency employed 42 statutory staff members, including 8 temporary staff and 34 contract staff.