EFSA role is to provide risk managers with European objective scientific advice on matters relating to health and well-being of animals, and food safety. EFSA is in close contact with the European Center for Prevention and Disease Control and with the European Commission and is ready to provide any additional scientific advice would be required.
EFSA is also providing expertise in the development of experimental studies in pigs, to consider especially if the pigs are likely to be infected by new virus H1N1 and the potential spread of the virus in pigs. These studies are being conducted by the Community Reference Laboratory with funds from DG Research of the European Commission and national research centers from different Member States.
On June 9, 2009, EFSA took part in a brainstorming meeting organized by the Commission with the support of ECDC and EFSA brings together scientists, risk assessors and risk managers on the issue of Influenza A (H1N1). The meeting focused on the potential risks posed by the virus in terms of possible transmission between humans and animals. Scientists in the fields of public health, animal health and food safety in the European Union, the United States, Canada and Russia also attended the meeting. Browse meeting documents, including presentations of the EFSA and the conclusions of the Working Group.