L 379/64 Official Journal of the European Union 24.12.2004 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 2230/2004 of 23 December 2004 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 with regard to the network of organisations operating in the fields within the European Food Safety Authority’s mission (Text with EEA relevance) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety(!), and in particular Article 36(3) thereof, Having consulted the European Food Safety Authority, Whereas: 1 Networking between the European Food Safety Authority (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Authority) and the Member States’ organisations operating in the fields within the Authority’s mission is one of the basic prin- ciples of the Authority’s operation. It is therefore necessary to stipulate how this principle should be imple- mented, in accordance with Article 36(1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, in order to ensure effi- ciency. Certain bodies in the Member States carry out tasks at national level which are similar to those of the Authority. Networking must make it possible to foster a framework for scientific cooperation allowing information and knowledge to be shared, common tasks to be identified, and optimum use to be made of resources and expertise. It is also important to facilitate the compilation of a Community-level summary of the data on food and feed safety collected by these bodies. As these bodies are to be entrusted with certain tasks with a view to assisting the Authority with its general mission as defined by Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, it is essential for them to be designated by the Member States on the basis of criteria covering scientific and technical competence, efficiency and independence. Member States need to provide the Authority with evidence of compliance with the necessary criteria for the inclusion of competent bodies on the list drawn up by the Authority’s Management Board. () OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1. Regulation amended by Regulation (EC) No 1642/2003 (O] L 245, 29.9.2003, p. 4). () (10) Member States must also stipulate the specific areas of competence of the competent bodies designated, so as to facilitate the operation of the network. Thus, in accordance with European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (3), when preparing an opinion on a request for authorisation of a genetically modified food or feed, the Authority may ask a Member State’s competent body for assessing foods and feeds to carry out a safety assessment of the relevant food or feed in accordance with Article 36 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002. In accordance with the provisions of Article 27(4)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, it is important for the Advisory Forum to be able to ensure close cooperation with the Authority and the competent bodies of the Member States by promoting the European networking of organisations operating within the fields of the Authority’s mission. The tasks entrusted to the competent bodies on the list must involve providing the Authority with assistance with its mission to provide scientific and technical support in relation to Community policy and legislation, without prejudice to the Authority’s responsibility for performing its tasks pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 178/2002. Financial support must be granted on the basis of criteria which ensure that such support contributes efficiently and effectively to the performance of the Authority’s tasks and to the Community priorities as regards scientific and technical support in the fields concerned. It is important to ensure on a general basis that the tasks entrusted by the Authority to the network’s member organisations are performed to high scientific and technical standards, efficiently (also with regard to deadlines) and independently. However, the Authority must remain responsible for allocating tasks to the competent bodies and for monitoring performance. The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, () OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 1.