INTRODUCTION

The National Platforms are intended to  join or possibly lead discussions and activities on a national level. The activities of these platforms are  extremely important as a source of information for international networks and the activities of EurSafe. Moreover these platforms may serve as useful resources for the EurSafe secretariat.

During 2000 a National Platform was established in The Netherlands in co-operation with the Netherlands Society for Bio-ethics. Michiel Korthals of Wageningen University is co-ordinator of this National Platform. In the UK the Food Ethics Council has taken initial steps towards the formation of a UK Platform. In Italy the Accademia dei Georgofilli has organised a series of meetings on Agricultural and Food Ethics as part of the preparation for EurSafe 2001.

In 2001, the Executive Committee will focus on the possibilities of creating National Platforms in other European Countries. These platforms do not have to be new organisations. It may be preferable to find existing networks that could organise such discussions on a national level. EurSafe members who identify possibilities for National Platforms in their own countries are invited to contact the EurSafe Secretariat.