Industry groups press EU to fix food-safety reviews and speed innovation

More than 30 European trade groups representing the agriculture and food sectors are pressing the European Union to overhaul its food-safety agency, arguing that lengthy approval times and excessive paperwork are discouraging companies from investing in the region.

In an open letter to the European Commission dated May 28, the organizations said the European Food Safety Authority, or EFSA, is hampering the development of new food, feed and agricultural products. They say that companies are increasingly choosing to launch innovations in other regions, where regulatory timelines are shorter and more predictable.

The EU’s agri-food industry, which employed over 30 million people and generated €900 billion in economic value in 2022, is losing ground to global competitors, the groups said. The signatories include Brussels-based FoodDrinkEurope, CropLife Europe, and EuropaBio, along with organizations representing sectors from food supplements to animal feed.

Slow EU assessments seen as discouraging new product launches

At the center of the criticism is EFSA’s risk assessment process, which companies say has become slower and more burdensome since the implementation of the EU’s Transparency Regulation in 2019. The letter argues that the regulation has significantly increased the complexity and cost of submitting applications, forcing companies to devote more resources to paperwork than to product development.

Trade associations said that EFSA’s pre-submission consultations—intended to help companies prepare applications—often reiterate public guidance without offering case-specific advice. The agency’s policy of separating advisory staff from risk assessment teams limits the value of the support provided, according to the letter.

Industry says EFSA rules are vague and growing in volume

The groups also voiced concern about the increasing number of EFSA guidance documents, which they say have become overly complex and sometimes contradictory. They called for greater involvement of industry experts in drafting such documents and more transparency around how EFSA incorporates public and stakeholder input into its final rulings.

In some cases, the letter states, EFSA’s conclusions appear to be disconnected from real-world conditions in European agriculture. The current selection process for scientific panels often excludes candidates with industry experience due to strict independence rules. As a result, a small pool of experts is repeatedly appointed, potentially limiting diversity of thought.

Calls for simpler procedures and new testing methods

The letter urges EU policymakers to revise the Transparency Regulation, particularly provisions that companies say add layers of bureaucracy without improving safety outcomes. It also calls on EFSA to expand its acceptance of new, non-animal testing models and improve coordination with other EU institutions to streamline application portals and reduce duplication.

Companies say that frequent last-minute requests for new data—sometimes triggered by changes in guidance during an ongoing evaluation—create further uncertainty and delay.

“Without timely, science-based risk assessments, the EU will struggle to meet its goals on sustainability, competitiveness and food security,” the groups wrote.

EFSA under review

The letter comes as the European Commission continues its formal evaluation of EFSA’s performance. The outcome could influence future changes to the agency’s mandate and procedures.

The trade groups say the review is a critical opportunity to align EFSA’s operations with the EU’s stated ambitions on innovation and economic resilience. Failing to act, they warn, could push more agri-food innovation away from the EU market.