European Parliament News Report, 23 October 2002
The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy has approved the nomination of Geoffrey Podger as Executive Director of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Mr Podger appeared before the committee at a public hearing on Tuesday 22 October, where he made a statement and replied to questions from MEPs. At the end of the hearing, Committee Chairwoman Caroline JACKSON (EPP-ED, UK) and representatives of the different political groups on the committee concluded that Mr Podger should be appointed to the post but they stressed he would now be judged by his performance in the job.
A letter has now been sent to the President of Parliament, Pat Cox, who will consult the Conference of Presidents and then transmit Parliament's recommendation to the Chairman of the EFSA Management Board. It is then up to the Board, after taking into account the European Parliament's views, to make the final appointment.