Background
It has been decided to divide the specialist tasks in analytical chemistry, microbiology and risk assessment between RIVM National Institute for Public Health and Environment and RIKILT - Institute of Food Safety which is part of the Wageningen University and Research Centre.

At the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, a study was carried out on the scale and efficiency of the laboratory facilities and services on food and feed safety in the Netherlands. Based on the policy needs of both ministries, the study aimed to make laboratory support on food and feed safety matters more concentrated and more cost-effective. The starting point has been to combine and rationalise facilities and expertise in order to provide high quality, efficient services.

The formal change over will be effective 1 January 2010.

What will this mean for you
Redistributing tasks enables RIKILT and RIVM to provide high quality, more efficient services. The transfer of tasks is also accompanied by a transfer of staff between the two institutes. Specific knowledge and skills will now be concentrated in each of the institutes so optimising research and laboratory services in food safety.

Contact persons
If you have any questions about the transfer of tasks between RIKILT and RIVM, please contact with one of the following:

Analytical chemistry (RIKILT)
Ir. A.E.M. (Adrie) Vermunt: adrie.vermunt@wur.nl, +31 317 480426
Dr. L.A. (Leen) van Ginkel, formerly RIVM: leen.vanginkel@wur.nl, +31 317 480341

Risk assessment (RIVM)
Dr. M.T.M. (Marcel) van Raaij, marcel.van.raaij@rivm.nl, +31 30 274 3615
Ir. J.D. (Jacob) Jacob van Klaveren, formerly RIKILT: jacob.van.klaveren@rivm.nl, + 31 30 274 7045

Microbiology (RIVM)
Dr. Y.T.H.P. (Yvonne) van Duynhoven: yvonne.van.duynhoven@rivm.nl, +31 30 274 3480
Dr. H.J.M. (Henk) Aarts, formerly RIKILT: henk.aarts@rivm.nl, +31 30 274 3008