Food Research Conference
The international Czech Presidency conference on food safety entitled “Food Research in Support of Science Based Regulations: Challenges for Producers and Consumers” took place at the Prague Congress Centre on 21 and 22 April 2009.
The conference, hold under the auspices of the Czech EU Presidency, was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague and the European Food Safety Authority. An auditorium were composed of Czech scientists, national expert in the area of risk assessment, individuals from the Universities and also colleagues from the Member States and other Associated Countries. The main speakers came from the European Food Safety Authority, the European Commission, Member States and Czech research institutions.
The aim of the conference was to support the use of food research for better assessment of risks and drafting of legislation necessary to ensure safe and high-quality food. The conference was also expected to strengthen cooperation on both national and international level.
The conference was attended by Czech Agriculture Minister Petr Gandalovič, Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, Head of the Prague Institute of Chemical Technology (VŠCHT) Josef Koubek and Deputy Director of the DG for Health and Consumer Protection Paola Testori Coggi, and it will bring together a number of leading Czech and international experts. The event was attended by some 250 delegates from a wide range of stakeholders – science and research institutions, public administration, producers and consumers.
The conference programme reflected new trends in European food research. It focused on attractive and topical themes including issues that are perceived as particularly sensitive by consumers, such as residues, pesticides, microbiological risks, additives as well as newly emerging risks. Leading experts on food-related issues presented major achievements by Czech institutions of science and research.