Actualité et avenir de l’expertise scientifique dans le domaine des risques sanitaires de l’alimentation

Directeur de recherches honoraire à l’Inra

Abstract

The French and European structures of expertise in the field of the safety assessment of food evolved considerably during the last decade, like their work methods and the mode of selection of experts. The evolution at the international level is less perceptible. The conditions of exercise of expertise by the researchers, they also, changed: heavier load, multidisciplinarity, media and political pressures, criticisms of their impartiality. Only improvements of the conditions of exercise and of the judgment of these activities will lead to a stronger investment of the researchers of which it is however one of the missions.