In 2003 EFSA got off to a flying start and succeeded in establishing itself as an independent European agency dedicated to improving consumer confidence by providing scientific advice, information and communication on all matters related to food safety.
The Executive Director, Geoffrey Podger, took up his appointment in February and the Director of Science and Deputy Executive Director, Herman Koëter, and the Director of Communications, Anne-Laure Gassin, took up their positions in October. There has been substantial recruitment during the year - the staff grew from a very small team to a total of 72 employees by the end of the year.
The Advisory Forum, EFSA’s main channel for contact with the Member States, held its inaugural meeting in March and met six times during the year. In order to stimulate interest in EFSA and its work throughout Europe, the Forum has from its inception invited participants from the accession countries and also from Norway, Iceland and Switzerland and it has held most of its meetings in the Member States.
