The row between the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) over replacing executive director Geoffrey Podger has been settled in the Commission’s favour.


It had wanted job candidates assessed and nominated by its officials, a move angering the food agency, as “undermining confidence in EFSA as an independent body”.


However, the agency relented after Brussels insisted it should follow standard European Union institution appointment procedures protecting the Commission’s role. EFSA has now announced that the executive director will be appointed by its management board, “on the basis of a list of candidates proposed by the Commission”. Mr Podger leaves EFSA in November.

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