Title :-
Microbiological Risk Analysis - a tool for the developing world.

The reduction of tariff barriers and quotas through World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations has opened markets, bringing safety and quality related issues to the forefront. Many developing countries are finding difficulties meeting their trading partners' safety and quality standards, which are becoming more stringent in response to international trade agreements and consumer concerns. Domestically the growth in urban markets in developing countries has been accompanied by rising consumer demand for products with safety and other quality guarantees. Facilities and capabilities for providing information to support science based decision making need to be strengthened in order to enable local supply chains to meet the safety and quality challenge presented to them. Improved research capabilities will enable governments to utilise good science in the promotion of a national food safety programme and will allow consumers, producers, processors and traders to make informed decisions with respect to food safety and quality issues.

Microbiological Risk Analysis (MRA) is a recently introduced tool and is used to collate information and carry out research to understand the nature of specific risks associated with a pre-specified commodity or food chain.

Risk Analysis is divided into 3 stages:
(a) Risk Assessment; where research and documented evidence, including epidemiological studies, are studied to understand the nature of the pre-specified risk.
(b) Risk Management, where risk management systems, such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), can be adopted once the risk has been fully understood; and
(c) Risk Communication, where all stakeholders are informed of the outcomes of the risk assessment and risk management stages.

The proposed accompanying measure is designed to identify the constraints in the use of Microbiological Risk Analysis in developing countries, and to develop a strategy to strengthen the identified areas of weakness. This accompanying measure will utilize the global PhAction network of postharvest specialists, to bring together Europe's dispersed capability in Microbiological Risk Analysis, as it relates to developing countries.
It is proposed to combine the next meeting of PhAction, at the JIRCAS symposium in Tsukuba, Japan, (15 - 16 October 2002), with a meeting of key stakeholders who will contribute to an inception meeting to introduce this measure. The design of a strategic plan for strengthening research requirements needed in establishing microbiological risk analysis as a tool for food safety in developing countries will be considered

The main objectives of this measure will be:

To design a strategic plan for strengthening research requirements needed in establishing microbiological risk analysis as a tool for food safety in developing countries

To inform policy makers, and other key players, in the European Union on issues relating Microbiological Risk Analysis to developing countries, as well as demonstrating the European and other resources in these areas
Objectives will be attained by achieving the following measurable and verifiable outputs:

A project inception meeting, at the Tsukuba, Japan PhAction forum: The purpose of the measure will be explained, speakers representing key stakeholders from international organisations, the EU and developing countries, will identify those issues which currently restrict the practice of Microbiological Risk Analysis

Identify constraints to acquiring and collating scientific information needed to support the adoption of microbiological risk analysis. Scientific capability, in terms of institutions, researchers and facilities, will be evaluated.

Establishment of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) in identified collaborating laboratories. Laboratory staff, involved in research as well as in routine testing, will participate in workshops on topics including Good Laboratory Practice: meeting the requirements of ISO 17025 for establishing sound practices for statistical experimental design in research.

Identification and evaluation of low-cost diagnostic techniques. Evaluation of low-cost, rapid techniques for diagnosis and monitoring of microbial contaminants, appropriate for use by laboratories in developing countries.

Develop risk analysis as a tool to establish realistic food safety and quality objectives. The principles of risk analysis, based on scientific investigations, will be used to develop country specific quality and safety objectives which national governments will assist agro-entrepreneurs to attain over a specified period of time

Establish Microbiological Risk Analysis (MRA) networks. The establishment of MRA networks at the national and regional level, involving the range of stakeholders (farmers, processors, traders, laboratories, government regulators and health officials, consumer groups) - to review standards and objectives of MRA and determine new needs for training, analysis and outreach to consumers.

Develop and implement outreach and training programs for introducing risk analysis networks. The project will hold a final workshop to review and exchange results on crosscutting issues, such as the establishment of MRA as a tool to support food safety in developing countries.

Identification of centres of excellence. A regional laboratory for microbiological analysis, with satellite support centres will be identified in selected countries of the region.

The rationale used in the proposal for an integrated project within Framework 6 is expressed below:

Although the EU has important agricultural sectors from which food products are a major output, there is a need to source commodities from the developing world that can be produced cheaper, out of season or service niche markets. To supply this need developing countries need to establish and maintain transparent systems for food control to meet international requirements for trade. It is also the duty of the developed world/EU (Article 9 of SPS Agreement) to support developing countries in meeting these requirements to ensure the quality and safety of food as well as protecting the health of consumers.

Many developing countries are finding difficulties meeting their trading partners' quality and safety standards, which are becoming more stringent in response to international trade requirements and consumer concerns. Facilities and capabilities for providing information to supply science-based decision making need to be strengthened in order to enable local supply chains to meet the quality and safety challenge presented to them.

The production of a safe and wholesome food supply is a global issue of increasing concern for governments, food producers, food processors, retailers and handlers, as well as consumers, and plays a key rôle in ensuring the health of populations world-wide. Assuring that the EU has the highest standards of food safety is a key policy priority for the European Commission.
The use of high quality scientific advice will inform the implementation of an integrated, transparent food safety policy.
The proposed Integrated Project will strengthen capabilities within Europe and Third Countries in designing, implementing and maintaining Food Safety Management Systems within national food control systems.
Food safety is achieved by improving knowledge of the hazards associated with commodity chains, ensuring that monitoring systems are in place to demonstrate that the identified hazards are under control.
There is a global requirement for the promotion of equivalence in the area of Food Control, including Safety Management, between developing countries and the EU. This is in process and can be demonstrated through the ongoing harmonisation of EU legislative requirements throughout Europe, as well as selectively within developing countries. Equally there is a requirement to improve understanding of the socio-economic impact of these activities.

A sound knowledge base will be created through the strategic analysis of food safety and quality policy issues and will support efficient value added to developing country products destined for EU markets. There will be an improved sharing of information that will enable greater complementarity of effort amongst European partners, which will provide new opportunities for joint action within a common policy environment. Exploiting this potential effectively depends upon improved communication, human and professional interaction between European nationals to engender trust and the readiness to work together. These are all outcomes of the personal and professional networking to be achieved through this proposal.

Status:
Two proposals have been prepared and submitted to EU research programmes: an accompanying measure to Framework 5 and a concept note fro an integrated project to framework 6.