Overview of the Main Institutions of the EU

A slide presentation by Laurence Castle, Central Science Laboratory, York (UK), “Overview of the main institutions of the EU” (2008).

EU Training on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Issues for Asian Countries

EU Training on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Issues for Asian Countries provides links to seminar slides organised by the European Commission Directorate General for TRADE in cooperation with the Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO).  Although aimed at improving mutual understanding of Sanitary and Phytosanitary issues and relevant legislation between the EU and administrators from Asian countries, the materials are applicable generally on SPS issues in the EU and globally.

Can the multilateral institutions encourage unbiased outcomes?

Lee Ann Jackson and Marion Jansen have written, “Risk assessment in the international food safety policy arena: Can the multilateral institutions encourage unbiased outcomes?” (Jan. 2009). The working paper describes how food safety related scientific evidence is generated and how it is used in the context of risk assessment for international standard-setting at Codex and in WTO trade disputes. The authors also  discuss the processes leading to policy conclusions on the basis of scientific evidence.  They discuss the interactions between private and public sector actors and between "scientific experts" and others. Finally, they provide suggestions on improving the interactions and the transparency of the process.

 

"At the table with Darwin"

The new Food Systems, Culture and Society programme at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) is coordinating a conference this evening called “At the table with Darwin” as part of their “UOC Darwin Year”. Beth Forrest, Thomas Glick and José Enrique Campillo will each present a 30 minute talk related to Darwin and food. More information is available here.