Estonia

The Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture (REM) deals with agricultural policy in Estonia and, more particularly, with food and feed safety. The REM prepares draft legislation in the field of food and feed and coordinates the performance of state tasks. The Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) facilitates the work of the REM within its´s remit as the competent authority and executive body. PTA is responsible for official food and feed control and the control of use of plant protection products. With regard to questions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the REM collaborates closely with the Ministry of Climate (KLIM).

The National Reference Laboratories attached to the REM in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 are the National Centre for Laboratory Research and Risk Assessment (LABRIS) and the Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge (METK). The area of work of the REM extends beyond food and feed safety to include, for instance, plant health, animal health and animal welfare.

The former Veterinary and Food Laboratory has been renamed to National Centre for Laboratory Research and Risk Assessment (LABRIS) and is subordinate to the REM. The tasks of LABRIS include performing risk assessments and risk communication related to food safety and animal health areas and providing scientific advice to the REM and the PTA.

The Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) is subordinate to the REM. The main focus of the work of the PTA is risk management and risk communication. The PTA monitors and coordinates relevant tasks performed by local offices; the local offices are grouped under 4 regions. Risk assessments on food safety and animal health are outsourced to research institutes, universities and the National Centre for Laboratory Research and Risk Assessment, while plant protection products safety is assessed by PTA.

The activities of the PTA focus on ensuring food and feed safety and cover all the major topics, such as feed, food supplements, GMOs, food contact materials, zoonoses, novel foods, residues of veterinary medicinal products and plant protection products. The area of work of the PTA extends beyond food and feed safety to include, for instance, plant health, animal health and animal welfare, organic production, animal breeding and market control.

The Ministry of Social Affairs (SM) deals with health policy in Estonia. It prepares draft legislation in the field of drinking water, mineral water and spring water. The SM, MEM and KKM work together in the field of GMOs. The Health Board (TA) and the State Agency of Medicines (RA) support the work of the SM in their capacity as the competent authorities. The RA is the regulatory authority for veterinary medicinal products in Estonia, except for their use by veterinarians and animal keepers, which is in the remit of responsibility of the Agriculture and Food Board (PTA).

The task area of the SM extends, amongst others, to questions on nutrition in public institutions in Estonia (nutritional value of food, varied and balanced nutrition).

The Health Board (TA) is subordinate to the SM. The TA is responsible for risk assessments, risk management measures and risk communication in the area of drinking water, natural mineral water and spring water.

The TA is the competent authority for natural mineral water and drinking water, and monitors and coordinates tasks of relevant regional departments.

The Authorized Laboratories attached to the TA in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 perform a range of drinking and natural mineral water tests.