The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has outlined how it plans to review its guidance on the risk assessment of plant protection – and pesticides in particular – and bees in the EU. Stakeholders and pesticide experts from Member States will be consulted regularly throughout the process.

The first consultation began in July 2019, when stakeholders and Member State representatives were asked for their views on the current guidance document.

Stakeholder feedback will be provided by a consultation group, comprising representatives of EFSA’s different stakeholder communities, which has been set up to support the revision of the guidance. Member States will be consulted through EFSA’s existing Pesticides Steering Network.

Gathering views on the existing guidance, published in 2013, is an important first step in EFSA’s review as highlighted in the mandate received from the European Commission. When the feedback has been gathered and analysed, EFSA’s scientific working group will begin its review.

A full public consultation and workshop will take place when the document has been drafted.

You can view the full outline of guidance here. Regular updates should appear on the EFSA website.