EFSA executive director stands down
She will leave to take up the role of director general for agricultural, agri-food and territorial policies in the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry on September 1, 2013.
Geslain-Lanéelle, who had been executive director since 2006, expressed her gratitude to the members of the European Parliament and the directors of EFSA for their support and availability over the past seven years.
‘Precious support’
“With the precious support of the EFSA management board, our close co-operation with national food safety agencies and our engagement with stakeholders, we have made important progress in protecting consumers and building confidence in the EU food chain,” she said.
“In leaving EFSA, I am pleased that my new function will allow me to continue to contribute to the European project.”
Bernhard Url, who is responsible for EFSA’s Risk Assessment and Scientific Assistance Directorate, will lead the organisation until an ad interim executive director is appointed at its October meeting.
Sue Davies, chair of EFSA’s management board said: “The management board’s priority is now to ensure business continuity and to limit any disruption for EFSA’s staff, experts and outputs … in the meantime, the European Commission will initiate the process for recruitment of a new permanent executive director.”
