EFSA sets up new agchem assessment body

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set up a new committee to co-ordinate the assessment of pesticides. "It will be responsible for planning and monitoring the safety review process from beginning to end – in other words, from the initial application for a certain active substance to be authorised through to the publication of an opinion by EFSA on the safety of that substance," says Hubert Deluyker, EFSA director of scientific co-operation and assistance. The new Pesticide Steering Committee will be fully operational from January 1st 2009.