On 6 August 2004 the European Commission adopted a decision to create an Advisory Group on the Food Chain and Animal and Plant Health accompanied by a Commission Communication concerning the creation of an advisory group on the food chain and animal and plant health and the establishment of a consultation procedure on the food chain and animal and plant health through representative European bodies.

This new group will bring together key stakeholders including farmers, the food industry, retailers, consumer organisations and others to advise the European Commission on food safety policy. It will meet at least twice a year and consist of up to 45 members from EU-level associations. Reflecting the Commission's "farm to fork" approach to food safety, the group will be consulted on matters ranging from policy on pesticides through to food labelling laws.

European level associations are invited to apply for membership by writing to:

Mr. Franco RINAUDO
Office F101 08/58
Food Law and Biotechnology Unit
Health and Consumer Protection DG
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
B-1049 Brussels

The letter, which should be signed by a senior office holder, must state why the applicant association believes it should be a member of the Advisory Group and how it fulfils the criteria set out in Article 3 (1) of the Commission Decision of 6 August 2004 (see link above). The letter should be accompanied by the applicant's articles of association, a list of its office holders, a list of the members it represents and its most recent annual report.

Letters must be posted no later than 30 September 2004.

The Commission will publish a list of the members of the Advisory Group in the Official Journal of the European Union and on this webpage in October or November 2004.

Official Journal of the European Union
Decision to create an Advisory Group on the Food Chain and Animal and Plant Health
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2004/l_275/l_27520040825en00170019.pdf