Council Decision of 18 June 2012 appointing half of the members of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority and amending the Decision of 24 June 2010

30.6.2012 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 192/1
COUNCIL DECISION
of 18 June 2012
appointing half of the members of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority and amending the Decision of 24 June 2010
2012/C 192/01
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (1), and in particular Article 25(1) thereof,
Having regard to the list of candidates submitted to the Council by the European Commission,
Having regard to the views expressed by the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1) It is vital to ensure the independence, high scientific quality, transparency and efficiency of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Cooperation with Member States is also indispensable.
(2) Half of the members of the EFSA Management Board are to finish their term of office on 30 June 2012. Three of those members have a background in organisations representing consumers and other interests in the food chain.
(3) The list submitted by the Commission has been examined with a view to appointing seven new members of the EFSA Management Board on the basis of the documentation provided by the Commission and in the light of the views expressed by the European Parliament. The aim is to secure the highest standard of competence, a broad range of relevant expertise, for instance in management and in public administration, and the broadest possible geographic distribution within the Union.
(4) In examining the list submitted by the Commission, the Council has taken account of the fact that the Commission is to proceed without delay to replace a member who recently resigned from the EFSA Management Board by way of a separate procedure and is to submit a list of candidates to that effect in accordance with the conditions set out in Article 25(1) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002.
(5) The Council has also taken account of the fact that one of the current EFSA Management Board members whose mandate is to expire on 30 June 2014 may, due to a change in his professional activities, be regarded as a member with a background in organisations representing other interests in the food chain.
(6) The Decision of 24 June 2010 appointing half of the members of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority (2) should therefore be amended accordingly,