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A proposed flagship project: Creating a network on the implementation of EU food and feed legislation. Sebastian Hielm Department of Food and Health, MAF Kick-off meeting for Priority area 9 8.10.2009, Helsinki. What is a flagship project?. A project with high significance
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A proposed flagship project:Creating a network on the implementation of EU food and feed legislation Sebastian Hielm Department of Food and Health, MAF Kick-off meeting for Priority area 9 8.10.2009, Helsinki
What is a flagship project? • A project with high significance • An example of specific initiatives identified as able to demonstrate the concrete effects of the strategy in a relatively short time • They are characterized by: • participation by a number of actors • a lead partner • a deadline for implementation • ”Fast track” signifies rapid launch and implementation
The approach is hierarchical The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region • To enhance the region’s prosperity (Pillar) • To reinforce sustainability of agriculture, forestry and fisheries (Priority area 9) • Create a network on the implementation of EU food and feed legislation (Flagship project), e.g.: • Co-operation between member states • Approval of pesticides (?) • Nordic Council of Ministers co-operation • Genetic diversity, food security, …(?)
What to do then? • In accordance with the relevant pillar, the aim of work done under Priority area 9 is to enhance prosperity • It’s not about protecting the environment • It’s not about the region’s attractivity • It’s not about safety or security • Thus, an undertaken flagship project in this Priority area should aim for a more sustainable agriculture in the Baltic Sea region by making it more lucrative
How could we promote the prosperity of agriculture? • We are experts on food and feed legislation • We have intergovernmental contacts on many levels • Between EU member governments/agencies • Between Nordic (and Baltic) ministries/authorities • More efficiently and transparently, we could: • Share information on forthcoming legislation • Both on the European and national level • Discuss barriers to trade as they emerge, to analyse whether they are sufficiently grounded in science • Share best-practices regarding official food and feed control
Create a network on the implemen-tation of EU food and feed legislation • This is the name of a ’fast track’ flagship project under Priority area 9, as proposed by the EU strategy • Are we happy with this title? • Could we agree on a few priority areas to start work with? • Is there any need to stick to the subjects proposed by the EU? • Finland, more specifically the Department of Food and Health at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, is willing to act as the lead partner – any objections? • How shall we go ahead with the practical work? • What is the manner and timetable for delivering the possible outcomes of our work?
How and when shall the network proceed with the practical work? • Kick-off meeting, today • Gather participants’ comments on the structure of the networking project • Expressions of interest to participate by countries and other organisations • Setting up a mailing list among participants • Elaborating a project plan (by e-mail), end of 2009 • Physical meeting in Finland, early 2010 • First reporting of the results from networking, summer 2010
The crucial role of the NCM • The Nordic Council of Ministers has a long and active tradition on networking in food and feed issues • There is a committee of senior food officials (ÄK-FJLS [Livs]) • The Baltic states are involved through the CSO-NB8 scheme • The input of the NCM to the Baltic Strategy has been substantial • Some specific Nordic networks could easily be involved (and expanded) as part of the flagship project: • Readiness exercises on animal disease outbreak scenarios • The new Nordic monitoring scheme on diet and exercise • ’Fast track’ means building on existing NCM networks!