Brussels, 25/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Bernhard Url has been appointed as acting executive director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The EFSA management board made the appointment on Thursday 24 October, pending appointment of the authority's executive director.
Url has been carrying out the role following the resignation of Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle on 1 September 2013 (see EUROPE 10896)
A qualified veterinarian, Url, who joined EFSA in June 2012 as the director of risk assistance and scientific assistance, was for almost ten years the director general of the Austrian agency for food health and safety (AGES) which represents Austria within the EFSA consultative forum. From 2008 to 2012, he was also a member of the EFSA management board. The European Commission will launch a call for intimations of interest for the post of EFSA executive director and, in due course, will present a list of candidates to the authority's management board. Before being appointed by the board, the candidate chosen will be invited to address the European Parliament and answer questions raised by MEPs. (AN/transl.jl)