BTSF at a glance?

Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF) is a broad-based training programme of the European Union (EU) that is principally intended for EU member states. Its scope covers the full food safety spectrum: food and feed law, animal health, animal welfare, plant health and plant protection. The programme is primarily directed at officials who perform inspections in these areas.

BTSF was launched in 2006. Since 2014 some of BTSF’s courses have been offered as e-learning modules through the BTSF Academy in five languages, including German. Otherwise, they are conducted as practical training courses. These courses are run by carefully selected experts in EU member states.  

What are the objectives?

All official controls must meet stringent safety requirements throughout Europe as prescribed by European law. Participants are therefore given detailed information on all aspects of EU law in the areas covered by EU Control Regulation 2017/625 and also receive corresponding practical training.

Another objective is to more closely standardise inspection procedures, control methods and the evaluation of results throughout the European Union. This is intended to make official controls more efficient and objective. It is designed to strengthen mutual trust and make it easier to trade safe foods.

Who takes part?

The training courses are intended for employees of the relevant authorities in EU member states who are charged with performing official controls in the fields of food and feed safety, animal health and animal welfare as well as plant health and plant protection. In exceptional cases, employees from nationally accredited private supervisory bodies may also be allowed to take part. Furthermore, some training courses are directed towards representatives from non-EU countries.

Engagement of the BVL

Each member state has a National Contact Point (NCP) who provides general information about the training offering, coordinates notifications from participants and registers selected participants with the training providers. BVL is responsible for this in Germany.

The NCP represents Germany’s interests to the EU Commission with respect to the BTSF training initiative. Participants can get in touch with the NCP for general questions on the BTSF programme.

For all practical questions and answers about the programme, registration, conditions for participation and costs see our FAQ on BTSF.

Legal basis for the programme

The EU Commission has offered regular training courses for inspectors since 2006 as part of its “Better Training for Safer Food” (BTSF) initiative (see Article 51 of (EC) Regulation 882/2004 and Article 130 of Regulation 2017/625).

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