Romania

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) deals with agricultural policy and food safety in Romania. It prepares draft legislation in the area of food and feed of non-animal origin, residues of plant protection products and cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). MADR also conducts risk assessment in these fields. Activities of MADR with regard to plant protection products are supported by the National Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Health. 

The Ministry of Health (MS) is responsible mainly for public health protection and partially for food safety in Romania. The MS prepares draft legislation in the field of food safety and is responsible for official controls in some specific areas of food safety: baby food, novel foods, food supplements, food for populations with special nutritional requirements, food additives, enzymes and flavourings, treatment of food with ionising irradiation, health and nutrition claims, food contact materials as well as drinking and mineral water. The MS is also responsible for risk assessment in these areas.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests (MMAP) deals with environmental policy and is the main competent authority for deliberate release of GMOs into environment. The MMAP authorises and controls the use of GMOs and plant protection products and monitors their impact on the environment. Authorisation of plant protection products in Romania requires the approval of three ministries: the MADR, MS and MMAP. The MMAP is also responsible for the sustainable use of pesticides. 

The National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) monitors whether food, food advertising and food labelling comply with legal requirements of the food safety legislation. The ANPC also handles consumer complaints. 

The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) is subordinated to the Romanian Government, under the coordination of the prime minister. The ANSVSA manages at national level all the matters in the food safety area – from raw materials to consumers’ issues. The ANSVSA is responsible for official controls, preparation of draft legislation as well as preparation of risk assessments in the following areas: food and feed safety, contaminants, residues of plant protection products, import and export of animals and plant products, traceability and labelling of genetically modified food and feed, zoonoses, veterinary medicinal products and their residues, animal health and welfare and antimicrobial resistance. There are 3 National Reference Institutes  that are subordinated to ANSVSA: the Institute for Diagnosis and Animal Health, the Institute for Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health and the Institute for Control of Biological Products and Veterinary Medicines.