A high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities. Union action, which shall complement national policies, shall be directed towards improving public health, preventing physical and mental illness and diseases, and obviating sources of danger to physical and mental 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, and monitoring, early warning of and combating serious cross-border threats to health. (Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union)

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 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 Union programmes mentioned below, the Agency is responsible for implementing the following tasks as defined in the delegation act adopted on 9 September 2008 (13): 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 programmes and measures, promote coordination and synergy with other programmes of the Union, 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) disseminate 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 Court of Auditors. 4 — Discharge Authority Parliament, acting on a recommendation from the Council.

Budget The Agency's administrative final budget for 2009 amounted to 6,4 million euro. Staff at 31 December 2009 On 31 December 2009, the Agency employed 48 statutory staff members, including 11 temporary staff and 37 contract staff.