Former EFSA Chair Resigns over Conflict of Interest Concerns

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has announced the resignation of Management Board Chair Diána Bánáti, describing her decision to accept a position at the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) as “incompatible” with her agency duties. Bánáti apparently agreed to step down after critics raised concerns about EFSA’s supposed lack of transparency “in its links with lobbyists for biotech and food companies,” noted a May 9, 2012, Parliament article. Additional details about a Corporate European Observatory report that focused on EFSA members with ILSI ties appear in Issue 399 of this Update.

Although EFSA stressed that board members must consider public perception in undertaking “any activities which could raise doubts about their independence,” Bánáti in her resignation speech reportedly defended the agency as “one of the most transparent organizations I know.” She also reiterated that ILSI Europe, where she will serve as executive and scientific director, is not an industry lobbying group but a scientific organization that “seeks to advance understanding of issues relating to nutrition, food safety and the environment” by drawing on a wide range of expertise. “As a scientist I have nothing but respect for this unique organization where industry, academic and government scientists collaborate in an open and transparent manner to identify health and scientific issues of common concern and share ideas on how to address them,” Bánáti was quoted as saying. “When decisions affecting public health and safety are made on sound science, everyone benefits.”

Despite these assurances, however, the European Parliament this week voted to withhold approval for how EFSA spent its 2010 funds over its perceived lack of transparency. In particular, the Group of the European People’s Party (EEP Group) has asked the European Council, Commission and member states to revise the management board appointment process for decentralized agencies and to implement robust conflict of interest policies. “The world has been changing and we must follow it,” said Member of Parliament Monica Macovei in a May 10, 2012, EEP Group statement. “Transparency and proper management of the conflict of interests have become vital for governance and for our citizens. Conflicts of interest must be a criteria in the discharge procedure for all EU Institutions. If they are not correctly managed, conflict of interests can distort the allocation of financial and human resources, cause a waste of public funds and weaken the citizens’ trust.”