Der Europäische Rechnungshof (ECA) hat die EU-Behörde für Lebensmittelsicherheit (EFSA) wegen mangelnder Transparenz gerügt. Die Behörde würde nicht angemessen mit Interessenkonflikten umgehen, heißt es in dem Bericht, den ECA-Mitarbeiter Igors Ludboržs am 11. Oktober veröffentlicht hat.
Der Rechnungshof spielt damit Gentechnikkritikern in die Hände, die schon länger Verflechtungen der EFSA mit der Agrochemie-Industrie anprangern. Demnach habe die Behörde nicht immer klar gemacht, welche Mitarbeiter zuvor oder parallel bei Agrarkonzernen oder Lobbygruppen beschäftigt waren. Die EFSA ist u.a. für die Zulassung von gentechnisch veränderten Pflanzen zuständig.
Original-Pressemitteilung des Rechnungshofes
In recent years a number of alleged cases pertaining to conflict of interest involving certain EU Agencies have been reported in the press and have raised concerns within the European Parliament. In 2011 the European Parliament requested the Court to “undertake a comprehensive analysis of the agencies’ approach to the management of situations where there are potential conflicts of interest”.
The audit evaluated policies and procedures for the management of conflict of interest situations for four selected Agencies making vital decisions affecting the safety and health of consumers, namely the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The European Court of Auditors concluded that none of the audited Agencies adequately managed the conflict of interest situations. A number of shortcomings of varying degrees have been identified in Agency-specific policies and procedures as well as their implementation.
“After examining the situation at these agencies, we have drawn up a list of general and specific recommendations which, if properly implemented, might bring significant improvements in the management of conflict of interest situations not only in the selected Agencies but in all EU Institutions and decentralised bodies,” said Igors Ludboržs, the ECA Member responsible for the report. (ad)