Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Food ... · 1 Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) NETWORK & TEAM BUILDING INITIATIVE

1

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food

Food Institutional Research Measure

(FIRM)

NETWORK & TEAM BUILDING INITIATIVE

2006

PROGRESS REPORT FORM

Funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006

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Section 1 – Network Information

Network No.: 06TNIUCD3

Network Title: Microbial Quantitative Risk Assessment Network of Ireland

Reporting Period: From1: 01/11/07 To: 30/04/08

Progress Report sent to RELAY: (please supply date) 19/06/2008

([email protected])

Network Co-

ordinator:

Professor Francis Butler

Start date:01/11/07 End date: 31/10/12

1 Note: all dates in dd/mm/yy

mailto:[email protected]

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Section 2 - Progress and Results achieved to date*

Summarise the progress / results for the Network to date under the following

headings.

Section 2.1: Details of Progress in relation to outline 5-Year Plan (incl. Information on progress with regard to networking incl. scientific meetings, industry workshops / training events, web portal / electronic newsletter. Policy formulation at national / international level, activities with respect to external funding for research activities. Also include summary information on progress with regard to the scientific work programme).

The overall objective of the network is the development of a high calibre,

internationally recognised, multidisciplinary network of national experts on the

application of microbial quantitative risk assessment as a tool to underpin risk

management actions. The first six month period was essentially a network

‘formation’ phase including the formal ‘kick off’ meeting of the project, recruitment

of the project team; formation of the management structure and development of

the network programme for the first 18 months of the project.

Initial effort focussed on the formation of the Network Executive, specifically the

appointment of a Network Scientific Officer and Network Manager. This task was

successfully completed with the appointment of Dr. Ursula Gonzales Barron (UCD)

as Network Scientific Officer on the 1st April 2008 and Dr. Grainne Redmond

(UCD) as Network Manager (half time post) on the 1st January 2008. The

Network Executive is now complete and comprises of Prof. Francis Butler, UCD,

Network Coordinator, Dr. Geraldine Duffy, AFRC, Scientific Director, Dr Ursula

Gonzales Barron, UCD, Network Scientific Officer, and Dr. Grainne Redmond,

UCD, Network manager.

The project ‘Kick-Off’ meeting involving all the partners to formally finalise and

ratify the network activities for the first 18 month period took place on the 22nd

December 2007 (minutes attached). A second partner meeting took place on the

27th February 2008 (minutes attached) with particular focus on the scientific

activities of the network, the convening of a stakeholder forum in month 12 and

industry / scientific workshops in year 1.

As part of the project, a web portal has been developed to disseminate the

objectives and outputs of the network. This action has been completed earlier than

expected and the website www.ucd.ie/microbialrisknetwork is now active and shows

information/news about the networks activities, outputs and upcoming events. The

web portal will be maintained by the Network Manager and will be further

developed and updated over the course of the project.

Information relevant to the period under review should be indicated in bold text

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No scientific meetings / industry workshops were scheduled during the first six

month reporting period. However the partner meetings have agreed initial meeting

themes to be held in the first 18 month period of the project - An international

scientific meeting on quantitiative risk assessment to be held in Autumn 2008 and

the initial theme for the industry workshop is performance objectives and the

challenge for the industry to meet the new EU microbiological criteria for

foodstuffs (EC 2073/2005

In the first six months, the network has been very active in the area of seeking

external funding for research activities. The project was involved in two EU 7th

framework applications - under the Call FP7-KBBE-2008B, which was for projects

focusing on Dissemination of Results from Projects, the project coordinator was

Dr. Kieran Jordan, a member of the Risk Assessment Network, and the Risk

Assessment Network was represented as a partner by its coordinator, Dr. Francis

Butler. A separate application as part of an EU Framework 7 Integrated project

was put forward by Teagasc, AFRC under the heading of the Risk Assessment

network of Ireland in February 2008. The project title was “Selection and

improving fit for purpose sampling procedures for specific foods and risks“ which

will directly support the goals and objectives of the Risk Assessment Network.

Arising from the evaluation process in April 2008, this project has been highly

scored and is now in negotiation for funding for a five year project.

An application as part a FIRM funded project was put forward by Teagasc, AFRC

on “Emergence of pathogens with resistance to biocides in use in the food industry

“ The proposal includes a task to be conducted by the Risk Assessment network of

Ireland on risk ranking of biocides. If funded the project will directly support the

goals and objectives of the Risk Assessment Network. At the time of writing of

this report, the proposal was still under evaluation by FIRM

The network was also active in the area of contributing to policy formulation at EU

level. In April, 2008, Prof Francis Butler, UCD and Dr Geraldine Duffy, Teagasc,

AFRC was invited to participate in an EFSA expert meeting on Salmonella in pork,

where Professor Butler presented the pork risk assessment model developed as

part of the joint FIRM / FSPB sponsored project on Risk analysis based control of

Salmonella in pork on the island of Ireland. Dr Duffy presented the outcomes of

the surveillance and tracking studies undertaken as part of the same project.

Arising from the EFSA meeting, the network is organising a follow up meeting with

VLA, UK to establish more formal links between Teagasc / UCD, the Network, and

the EFSA funded risk assessment of Salmonella in pigs that is currently underway.

Prof Francis Butler, UCD and Dr Geraldine Duffy, Teagasc, AFRC, reopened

previous policy work carried out with Dr Anna Lammerding as part of a joint FAO /

WHO funded work on Development of Practical Risk Management Strategies based

on Microbiological Risk Assessment Outputs. Prof Butler and Dr Duffy were part of

a working group preparing a case study on Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh raw

ground beef. During the reporting period, this working group held a series of online

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consultations, culminating in the finalisation of a working paper on Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh raw ground beef to be hosted on the FAO web. The working

paper details the risk assessment work carried out by Teagasc / UCD on a risk

assessment model for on Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh raw ground beef and

develops some preliminary performance objectives for the manufacture of ground

beef using the principles of food safety objectives. Further work will continue in

this area under the scientific programme for the Network.

The scientific programme of the Network is primarily to carry out a number of

small scale collaborative actions in the area of microbial risk assessment. The first

scheduled activity was the development an inventory/database of existing national

data sources relevant to microbial risk assessment. This task has been completed

and a report has been prepared with the results of this inventory. The report will

also be uploaded onto the networks website and will be updated regularly to include

new data sources.

The objective of the second research activity is to rework existing risk assessment

models to improve overall accuracy. This task was due to start in the second

reporting period. Specifically, a Bayesian analysis of the sensitivity of pathogen

enumeration will be carried out in the second reporting period. The second activity

associated with this sub-task - An application of meta analysis techniques for

combining multiple literature sources for prevalence and other data at critical

points in the risk assessment has started. This work is focussing on the

refrigeration stage in the slaughter process for pigs. A comprehensive review of

the relevant scientific literature has been carried out and formal meta – analysis

techniques has been applied to the data. A draft scientific publication has been

written for this work.

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Section 2.2: 18-Month work plan (provide information on progress in each task in relation to the

objectives, milestones and deliverables as outlined in the approved proposal). Report on each task separately using the template below.

Task No. 1 Start Date 1/11/07 Completion Date 30/4/09

Task Title Network Formation

Task Objective To ensure effective formation of the microbial quantitative risk

assessment network

Task Milestones M1.1 Appointment of Network Scientific Officer and Network

Manager

M1.2 A Network ‘Kick-Off’ meeting will be held

Task Deliverables D1.1 First Stakeholder meeting convened

D1.2 Web portal Development

D1.3 First E-Newsletter published

2.2.2 Progress Information -

Progress:

The focus of this initial task was the formation of the Network Executive, specifically the

appointment of a Network Scientific Officer and Network Manager (Milestone M1.1

Appointment of Network Scientific Officer and Network Manager). This task was

successfully completed with the appointment of Dr. Ursula Gonzales Barron (UCD) as

Network Scientific Officer on the 1st April 2008 and Dr. Grainne Redmond (UCD) as

Network Manager (half time post) on the 1st January 2008. The Network Executive is now

complete and comprises of Prof. Francis Butler, UCD, Network Coordinator, Dr. Geraldine

Duffy, AFRC, Scientific Director, Dr Ursula Gonzales Barron, UCD, Network Scientific

Officer, and Dr. Grainne Redmond, UCD, Network manager. Dr. Jim Sheridan (UCD) also

commenced work on the project (start date 1st March 2008) as a part time contract

staff, as provided in the work plan.

The project ‘Kick-Off’ meeting involving all the partners to formally finalise and ratify the

network activities for the first 18 month period took place on the 22nd December 2007

(minutes attached) (Milestone M1.2 A Network ‘Kick-Off’ meeting will be held). A second

meeting of project also took place on the 27th February 2008 (minutes attached) with

particular focus on the scientific activities of the network, the convening of a stakeholder

forum in month 12 and industry / scientific workshops in year 1. The outcomes of these

meetings have been conveyed to DAF.

As part of the project, a web portal has been developed to disseminate the objectives and

outputs of the network (Deliverable D1.2 Web portal Development). This action has been

completed earlier than expected and the website www.ucd.ie/microbialrisknetwork is now

active and shows information/news about the networks activities, outputs and upcoming

events. The web portal will be maintained by the Network Manager and will be further

developed and updated over the course of the project.

Outcomes: (i.e. milestones, deliverables, main conclusions / findings etc)

M1.1 Appointment of Network Scientific Officer and Network Manager: Completed

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M1.2 Network ‘Kick-Off’ meeting: Completed

D1.1 Discussions on Stakeholder meeting: Ongoing

D1.2 Web portal development: Completed (see www.ucd.ie/microbialrisknetwork)

D1.3 E-Newsletter: Not yet started

Problems (if any) This task is on schedule and there are no problems to report

Future task work & likely time scale (if any) The focus of this task for the next 6 months will be:

• Maintaining/updating the Network website

• Organising Stakeholder forum (by month 12, 31/10/08)

• Development of E-Newsletter (by month 18, 30/04/09)

Comment on overall current task status: (not yet started / ongoing / complete / good or delayed progress, likely end date)

Ongoing

Task Completion Date 30/4/09

2.2.3 Completed Task Synopsis

Summary of the outcomes.

How they may be relevant to industry / other stakeholders

How they add / complement other task work in the network

How it has / may have added to the science / research base

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Task Title Scientific Meetings/ Industry Workshops

Task Objective To organise the Networks scientific and industry workshops

Task Milestones

Task Deliverables D2.1 One Scientific meeting

D2.2 One Industry Workshop


Progress:

In the first 18 month period of this task, the network will organise a scientific meeting on

the application of microbial quantitative risk assessment as a tool to underpin risk

management actions. An industrial workshop will also be organised in the broad area of food

safety objectives. These two activities were discussed at the two network partners

meetings and initial tentative themes were identified as follows:

• An international scientific meeting on quantitiative risk assessment to be held in

Autumn 2008 (Deliverable D2.1 Scientific meeting). This will be a group of invited experts

in the area of microbial risk assessment. The core of this group will be experts from the

EFSA funded risk assessment on Salmonella in Pork as well as other experts in microbial

risk assessment. Network partners from UCD and Teagasc have participated and presented

their existing risk assessment models and data at the inaugural expert meeting hosted by

EFSA in Copenhagen in April 2008. At that meeting the project coordinator extended an

invitation for a follow-up risk assessment workshop in Dublin in Autumn 2008.

• An initial theme for the industry workshop is performance objectives and the

challenge for the industry to meet the new EU microbiological criteria for foodstuffs (EC

2073/2005) scheduled for late 2008 (Deliverable D2.2 Industrial Workshop).

Both of these meetings are being organised by the project manager with the assistance of

RELAY as required.


D2.1 Scientific meeting: Ongoing

D2.2 Industry Workshop: Ongoing

Problems (if any) This task is on schedule and there are no problems to report

Future task work & likely time scale (if any) Future work on this task will involve finalising the topics for the scientific meeting and

industrial workshop and organising these events


Ongoing

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Task Title External Funding for Research Activities

Task Objective To facilitate external funding for research activities

Task Milestones

Task Deliverables D3.1 An annual report produced on the activities by the network in this

area


Progress:

The focus of this task is to facilitate participation of the network partners in preparing

project proposals for funding by national/international agencies. This includes supporting

network partners to attend relevant international events and provide international visibility

for the network. In the first six months, the network has been very active on this task

with various funding opportunities explored as follows: These include:

EU 7th framework

The Network was involved as a named partner in a proposal for funding under the EU 7th

framework programme. The proposal was submitted in February 2008 under the Call FP7-

KBBE-2008B, which was for projects focusing on Dissemination of Results from Projects.

The project coordinator was Dr. Kieran Jordan, a member of the Risk Assessment

Network, and the Risk Assessment Network was represented by its coordinator, Dr.

Francis Butler. Unfortunately, when evaluated in April 2008, the proposal was not

shortlisted for funding, but the international consortium established is exploring further

funding elsewhere.

A separate application as part of an EU Framework 7 Integrated project was put forward

by Teagasc, AFRC under the heading of the Risk Assessment network of Ireland in

February 2008. The project title is “Selection and improving fit for purpose sampling

procedures for specific foods and risks“ will directly support the goals and objectives of

the Risk Assessment Network. Arising from the evaluation process in April 2008, This

project has been highly scored and is now in negotiation for funding for a five year

project.

An application as part a FIRM funded project was put forward by Teagasc, AFRC on

“Emergence of pathogens with resistance to biocides in use in the food industry “ The

proposal includes a task to be conducted by the Risk Assessment network of Ireland on risk

ranking of biocides. If funded the project will directly support the goals and objectives of

the Risk Assessment Network. At the time of writing of this report, the proposal was still

under evaluation by FIRM.


D3.1 An annual report on the activities of the network in this area will be produced by the

end of the 2nd reporting period (31/10/08)

Problems (if any)

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This period had a particularly high level of activity in terms of funding opportunity. Activity

in the next 6 month period is conditional on funding opportunities becoming available.

Future task work & likely time scale (if any) Future work will respond to calls for proposals by national and international funding agencies

as they arise.


Ongoing







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Task Title Scientific Programme

Task Objective To carry out a number of small scale collaborative actions in the

area of microbial risk assessment.

Task Milestones M4.1 Preliminary model identified to model the factors affecting

growth and toxin production in milk

M4.2 Pork consumption data extracted for later inclusion in existing

risk assessment of salmonella in pork

Task Deliverables D4.1 Report reviewing data sources

D4.2 A scientific publication on the application of Bayesian analysis

to test sensitivity

D4.3 A scientific publication on the application of meta-analysis

techniques to prevalence data

D4.4 A scientific publication on the application of FSOs


Progress:

Task 4a: The objective of this sub-task was to develop an inventory/database of existing

national data sources relevant to microbial risk assessment. This involved reviewing all

existing national funded projects (included all relevant FIRM / Safefood, EU Framework

funded projects). Factors entered in the database included microorganism, product, and

reported outputs (eg scientific papers, etc.). This task has been completed and a report

has been prepared with the results of this survey (see attached report) (Deliverable D4.1

Report reviewing data sources) and will be uploaded onto the networks website. The report

will be updated regularly to include new data sources.

Task 4b: The objective of this sub-task is to rework existing risk assessment models to

improve overall accuracy. This task was due to start in the second reporting period.

Specifically, a Bayesian analysis of the sensitivity of pathogen enumeration will be carried

out in the second reporting period (Deliverable D4.2 A scientific publication on the

application of Bayesian analysis to test sensitivity). The second activity associated with this

sub-task - An application of meta analysis techniques for combining multiple literature

sources for prevalence and other data at critical points in the risk assessment has started

(Deliverable D4.3 A scientific publication on the application of meta-analysis techniques to

prevalence data). This work is focussing on the refrigeration stage in the slaughter process

for pigs. A comprehensive review of the relevant scientific literature has been carried out

and formal meta – analysis techniques has been applied to the data. A draft scientific

publication has been written for this work.

Task 4c: This sub-task involves the investigation of methodologies for formulating FSOs

and associated performance objectives (Deliverable D4.4 A scientific publication on the

application of FSOs)

This work is being carried out in association with the Microbial Food Safety Risk

Assessment Group, Health Canada, Guelph. This work originated in the group

Task 4d: The objective of this sub-task is to model growth and toxin production by

S.aureus (start date 01/11/08). This work would model the growth of Staphloccus aureus

in finished raw milk products like cheese and would compliment ongoing EU 6th Framework

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work on listeria in cheese. The study would model the factors (initial numbers, competing

bacteria, milk quality, temperature, aw) influencing growth of Staphloccus aureus as a

starting point for a later risk assessment of unpasteurised cheeses. This work would include

some modest laboratory growth trials. While this part of the project has not started,

planning of the experimental work and the logistics has commenced. The experimental

protocol has been completed and the network is currently in the process of recruiting a

student.

Task 4e Preliminary ‘data mining’ of exiting consumption data bases for data relevant to

risk assessment. This sub-task is due to start 01/11/08.


D4.1 Report reviewing data sources: Completed

D4.2 A scientific publication on the application of Bayesian analysis to test sensitivity:

Ongoing

D4.3 A scientific publication on the application of meta-analysis techniques to prevalence

data: Not yet started

D4.4 A scientific publication on the application of FSOs: Not yet started

M4.1 Preliminary model identified to model the factors affecting growth and toxin

production in milk: not yet started

Problems (if any) This task is generally on schedule and there are no problems to report.

Future task work & likely time scale (if any) Future work on this task will be in line with the work programme and will continue over the

next 12 months of the project. (the period of initial funding for the project)


Ongoing







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Section 3 - Details of Network Management to date

Management issues should be described under the following headings and include

reference to the relevant task / institution, where applicable.

Section 3.1: Scientific meetings (describe all meetings of the Network during the period

under review)

Two project partner meetings took place during this reporting period. The

inaugural project kick off meeting took place on the 22nd December 2007

(minutes attached). A second meeting of project also took place on the 27th

February 2008 (minutes attached) with particular focus on the scientific

activities of the network, the convening of a stakeholder forum in month 12

and industry / scientific workshops in year 1. The outcomes of these

meetings have been conveyed to DAF.

Section 3.2:Industry / Stakeholder workshops (describe all workshops / meetings with

industry / other stakeholders that have been organised / taken place during the period under review)

No Stakeholder meeting was planned to take place in this reporting period.

Section 3.3: Approved staff and staff modifications2 (type, role, institution, start date, difficulties, still outstanding vs. full complement etc.) Dr. Ursula Gonzales Barron (UCD) was appointed as Network Scientific Officer on the 1st

April 2008.

Dr. Grainne Redmond (UCD) was appointed as Network Manager (half time post) on the 1st

January 2008.

A part time contract was drawn up for Dr. Jim Sheridan (UCD) (start date 1st March

2008)

This represents the full staff complement to be recruited by UCD in the first 18 months

of the project.

Section 3.4: Approved equipment and equipment modifications2(type, institution, use, still outstanding, cost relative to budget etc.)

2 PCs and associated risk assessment software; located at UCD, for use in risk assessment

work. Actual total cost €4123 in comparison with a budget cost of €5000. One further PC

to host the website activites.

2 All modifications are with respect to the original, approved proposal

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Section 3.5: Other modifications (previous queries, delays, advances, methods, equipment, staff, financial etc.)

The are no other modifications to the project to report.

Section 3.6: Summary of any other problems encountered / anticipated /

addressed

There are no other problems to report hindering progress of the project.

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Section 4 – Physical Indicators to date

Section 4.1: Network members (incl. Names, Institutions and current national and international

projects that each member of the Network is involved in, incl. Amount of funding and funding agency)

Prof. Francis Butler (UCD)

Project Co-ordinator Safe and Healthy Foods -Microbial database (Joint FIRM HRB)

Other Projects Detection and surveillance of Enterobacter sakazakii along the infant formula food

chain (FIRM)

Prevalence and epidemiology of emergent strains of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia

coli (O157, O26 and O111) in Irish food animals at the pre-harvest and harvest

levels of the food chain (FIRM)

Occurrence of Salmonella on pork on the island of Ireland and an assessment of

the risk factors contributing to its transmission (Safefood - Food Safety Promotion

Board)

ProSafeBeef (EU Funded)

Improving the quality and Safety of Beef and Beef Products for the consumer in

Production and Processing (European Commission FP6)

Q Pork Chains (European Commission FP6)

Novel minimal processing of added-value extended shelf life fruit products

technology development (Teagasc)

Source Persistance and Predicting the Growth of Listeria Monocytogenes in Cheese

(Teagasc)

Novel Minimal Processing of Added-value Extended Shelf-life Fruit Products -

Andioxidant Retention (Teagasc)

Antimicrobial resistance in commensal and selected pathogenic organisms in dairy,

pig and poultry production in Ireland as a reservoir of resistance for animal and

zoonotic pathgens (FIRM)

SigmaChain (European Commission FP6)

Dr. Geraldine Duffy (AFRC)

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Project Co-ordinator Development of rapid nucleic acid based methods and demonstration of equivalence

with cultural techniques for assessing compliance with forthcoming EU

microbiological criteria for fresh meat carcasses (FIRM)

Public health significance of emergent Campylobacter and Arcobacter spp. in the

Irish food chain (FIRM)

Anti-microbial agents (bacteriophage and bacteriocins) for control of

verocytotoxigenic E. coli at key stages in the beef chain (FIRM)

Research network on Verocytotoxigenic E. coli in Ireland (Safefood - Food Safety

Promotion Board)



Board)

Other Projects

Detection and surveillance of Enterobacter sakazakii along the infant formula food

chain (FIRM)




Application of biotechnology to control of spoilage and foodborne pathogens on

meat (FIRM)

ProSafeBeef (EU Funded)

Dr. Declan Bolton (AFRC)

Project Co-ordinator

Development of a technique to determine the influence of aerial contamination on

beef, pork and lamb carcases during slaughter (FIRM)

Control of blown pack spoilage in vacuum packaged beef (FIRM)

Investigations to establish the emergence of a range of new cytotoxic pathogens,

associated with cattle in Ireland (FIRM)

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Regulation of the acid tolerance response in Salmonella species and its effect on

dietary control measures in cattle and pigs (FIRM)

Sentinel surveillance of Campylobacter in Ireland (Safefood - Food Safety

Promotion Board)

[PEN] Pathogenic E. coli Network (EU funded)

Other Projects

Nutraceutical and Functional Food Bioactive Peptides in Beef, Bovine Offals and

Fermented Meat Product (FIRM)

European Union Risk Analysis Information Network (EU Funded)

Research providing a knowledge base to support the sustainable development of the

farmhouse cheese industry (FIRM)

SAFE FOODS: Promoting food safety through a new integrated risk analysis

approach for foods (EU Funded)

Dr Jim Sheridan (Retired, formerly AFRC)



Dr.Wayne Anderson (FSAI)




chain (FIRM)

Dr Maeve Henchion (AFRC)

Project Co-ordinator Development of a Technology Commercialisation Toolbox For Publicly Funded Food

Research (FIRM)

Other Projects



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Developing novel convenient meat based products by application of High Pressure

Processing (HPMeat) (FIRM)


Promotion Board)



Board)

Development of healthier meats and meat products (FIRM)

Prof. Seamas Fanning

Project Co-ordinator Detection and surveillance of Enterobacter sakazakii along the infant formula food

chain (FIRM)

Prevalence and characterisation of Yersinia enterocolitica in animal populations in

Ireland (FIRM)

Research network on Foodborne Viruses (Safefood - Food Safety Promotion Board)

Other Projects

Development of low sodium solutions for the snack food sector (FIRM)

Zoonotic potential of rotaviruses: characterisation of rotavirus implicated in human

and animal disease and detection in foodstuffs (FIRM)









Promotion Board)



Board)

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Prof. Michael Gibney

Project Co-ordinator Safety and nutritional quality of the diets of Irish children and adolescents (FIRM)

Diet, the large bowel microflora and metabolomic profiling of healthy human

subjects (FIRM)

Diet, genomics and the metabolic syndrome: an integrated nutrition, agro-food,

social and economic analysis (EU Funded)

Other Projects

Development of food consumption databases for risk assessment of food borne

chemicals, packaging materials and food fortification in Irish children and

adolescents (FIRM)

National Food Residue Database (2) (FIRM)

Prof. Patrick Wall

Project Co-ordinator The development of a longitudinal monitor of perceived risks from food in the

Republic of Ireland (FIRM)

Other Projects

Sentinel surveillance of Campylobacter in Ireland (2005-2008) (Safefood - Food

Safety Promotion Board)

Dr. Paul Whyte





Other Projects


chain (FIRM)

Identification of genes responsible for natural host resistance to Campylobacter

colonisation – tools to identify and breed genetically resistant chickens (FIRM)

Prevalence and characterisation of Yersinia enterocolitica in animal populations in

Ireland (FIRM)

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Promotion Board)

Dr. Kieran Jordan




Plasma Sterilisation for the Inactivation of Food-borne Pathogens on the Surface

of Foodstuffs and Packaging as a Minimal Processing Technology (Enterprise

Ireland)

Milk quality for a changing dairy industry (Dairy Research Trust Fund)

Improved bio-traceability of unintended microorganisms and substances in food and

feed chains (EU Funded)

Other Projects


chain (FIRM)




Dr.Enda Cummins (UCD)

Functional properties of beta glucans from oats, barley and seaweed (FIRM)

Development of a high assessment methodology for evaluating ecological dispersion

and human risks from nanoparticles through environmental pathways (Environmental

Protection Agency)

Enhancing human health through improved water quality (Environmental Protection

Agency)

Prevention, control, treatment, management and risk analysis of Prion diseases

(NeuroPrion) (European Commission FP6)

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Section 4.2: Industry involvement in Network (incl. names of industry participants in

stakeholder forum and any other input from industry during the period)

As the first six month period, was primarily a network formation period, there was

no significant industry linkage as part of the project work. This type of activity

will start in the second reporting period in association with the workshops being

organised by the project.

Section 4.3: Other stakeholders (incl. names and organisations of other members of the

stakeholder forum e.g. regulatory authorities)

The first stakeholder forum is planned for the second reporting period.

Composition of the stakeholder forum has not been finalised yet.

Section 4.4: Web portal / electronic newsletter activity (describe / enumerate number of hits on website / downloads etc.)

A project website has been developed to disseminate the objectives and outputs of

the network. This action has been completed earlier than expected and the website

www.ucd.ie/microbialrisknetwork is now active and shows information/news about

the networks activities, outputs and upcoming events. The web portal will be

maintained by the Network Manager and will be further developed and updated

over the course of the project. The website only went live in May 2008 and no

mechanism has been put in place as yet to enumerate number of hits / downloads.

It is anticipated that this software will be put in place in July 2008 and the

outcomes will be reported in the next reporting period.

Section 4.5: Description of the network outputs to date

Initial efforts focussed on the ‘kick off’ of the project by the project partners

and the formation of the Network Executive, specifically the appointment of a

Network Scientific Officer and Network Manager. This task was successfully

completed within this reporting period.

A project web portal has been developed to disseminate the objectives and outputs

of the network. This action has been completed and shows information/news about

the networks activities, outputs and upcoming events.

The project was involved in two EU 7th framework applications - under the Call

FP7-KBBE-2008B, which was for projects focusing on Dissemination of Results

from Projects, the project coordinator was Dr. Kieran Jordan, a member of the

Risk Assessment Network, and the Risk Assessment Network was represented as a

partner by its coordinator, Dr. Francis Butler.

23

A separate application as part of an EU Framework 7 Integrated project was put

forward by Teagasc, AFRC under the heading of the Risk Assessment network of

Ireland in February 2008. The project title was “Selection and improving fit for

purpose sampling procedures for specific foods and risks“ which will directly

support the goals and objectives of the Risk Assessment Network. Arising from the

evaluation process in April 2008, this project has been highly scored and is now in

negotiation for funding for a five year project.

An application as part a FIRM funded project was put forward by Teagasc, AFRC

on “Emergence of pathogens with resistance to biocides in use in the food industry

“ The proposal includes a task to be conducted by the Risk Assessment network of

Ireland on risk ranking of biocides. At the time of writing of this report, the

proposal was still under evaluation by FIRM

Network partners contributed to policy formulation at EU level. In April, 2008,

Prof Francis Butler, UCD and Dr Geraldine Duffy, Teagasc, AFRC was invited to

participate in an EFSA expert meeting on Salmonella in pork, where Professor

Butler presented the pork risk assessment model developed as part of the joint

FIRM / FSPB sponsored project on Risk analysis based control of Salmonella in pork

on the island of Ireland. Dr Duffy presented the outcomes of the surveillance and

tracking studies undertaken as part of the same project.

Prof Francis Butler, UCD and Dr Geraldine Duffy, Teagasc, AFRC, reopened

previous policy work carried out with Dr Anna Lammerding as part of a joint FAO /

WHO funded work on Development of Practical Risk Management Strategies based

on Microbiological Risk Assessment Outputs. Prof Butler and Dr Duffy were part of

a working group preparing a case study on Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh raw


consultations, culminating in the finalisation of a working paper on Escherichia coli

O157:H7 in fresh raw ground beef to be hosted on the FAO web.

The network completed an inventory/database of existing national data sources

relevant to microbial risk assessment.

24

Section 5.1 Publications: (please list under the following headings)

Refereed Publications

National Reports

Scientific / Technical Articles / Abstracts

Practical/ popular publications

Other reports / publications

Soumpasis, I. (2008). Microbial Risk Assessment of Salmonella Typhimurium at pork

products focusing on farm level. Presentation at EFSA QMRA workshop Salmonella in pigs,

Copenhagen, 21st-22nd April 2008

Butler, F. (2008). Risk factors contributing to the occurrence of Salmonella on pork for

the Ireland. Presentation at EFSA QMRA workshop Salmonella in pigs, Copenhagen, 21st-

22nd April 2008

Section 5.2 Collaborative Links

Nature of the collaboration Organisation

Formal New

Pre-existing

Informal New

Pre-existing

Contractual New

Pre-existing

Formal Collaboration

The following were formal partners associated with the EU Baseline project an application

as part of an EU Framework 7 Integrated project which was put forward by Teagasc,

AFRC under the heading of the Risk Assessment network of Ireland in February 2008. The

project title is “Selection and improving fit for purpose sampling procedures for specific

foods and risks“

Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna (UNIBO) Italy

National Veterinary Institute (VETINST) Norway

National Centre for Technology and Food Safety (CNTA) Spain

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) Germany

Université de Bretagne Occidentale UFR Sciences/UBO France

Hungarian Food Safety Office (HFSO) Hungary

Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) Italy

Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACYL) Spain

Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover (TIHO) Germany

National Agricultural University of Ukraine (NAUU) Ukraine

Health Department Government of Catalonia (HDGC) Spain

Faculty of Life Sciences (LIFE) Denmark

Section 5 – Scientific and Industrial Outputs

25

National Food Safety Agency

University of Navarra (UN) Spain

Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSA) France

The following were partners in a proposal for funding under the EU 7th framework

programme. The proposal was submitted in February 2008 under the Call FP7-KBBE-2008B,

which was for projects focusing on Dissemination of Results from Projects. The project

coordinator was Dr. Kieran Jordan, a member of the Risk Assessment Network, and the

Risk Assessment Network was represented by its coordinator, Dr. Francis Butler.

Technical University of Denmark DTU FOOD Denmark

University of Copenhagen KU LIFE Denmark

National Veterinary Institute SVA Sweden

Agricultural University of Athens AUA Greece

France Agency for Food Safety AFSSA France

University of Stuttgart STUTT Germany

Section 5.3 Industrial

Outputs With Commercial / Economic Potential

It is too early for the project to have output in this area

Type of output

Description / Numbers

Highly trained / skilled individuals

New knowledge / expertise

Improved links / collaborations with industry

Models (new and existing)

New management practices taken up

New product(s)

New technology – test methodologies

New production / packaging process(es)

New technology - equipment

Other

Industry involvement in the work programme

There has been no industry involvement in the project to date.

Nature of the participation Describe / enumerate

Input into the original proposal

Payment in kind

Shared expertise / consultation

Shared staff resources

Sub-contract / contract work

Use of company / plant facilities

Other

26

Section 5.4 Intellectual Property

No intellectual property has been generated by the project to date.

Patents:

Licenses:

Other:

Section 5.5 Outcomes with National Policy Potential / Public Good (Please describe)

Network partners contributed to policy formulation at EU level. In April, 2008,

Prof Francis Butler, UCD and Dr Geraldine Duffy, Teagasc, AFRC was invited to

participate in an EFSA expert meeting on Salmonella in pork, where Professor

Butler presented the pork risk assessment model developed as part of the joint

FIRM / FSPB sponsored project on Risk analysis based control of Salmonella in pork

on the island of Ireland. Dr Duffy presented the outcomes of the surveillance and

tracking studies undertaken as part of the same project.

The network is contributing to policy development at FAO / WHO level. Prof

Francis Butler, UCD and Dr Geraldine Duffy, Teagasc, AFRC, reopened previous

policy work carried out with Dr Anna Lammerding as part of a joint FAO / WHO

funded work on Development of Practical Risk Management Strategies based on

Microbiological Risk Assessment Outputs. Prof Butler and Dr Duffy were part of a

working group preparing a case study on Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh raw


consultations, culminating in the finalisation of a working paper on Escherichia coli

O157:H7 in fresh raw ground beef to be hosted on the FAO web.

Section 5.6 Other Outcomes not Previously Listed

None to report.

27

Section 6 - Budget

Please complete the 4 worksheets in the excel spreadsheet. Please note the

worksheets are not linked.

Worksheet ‘Overall’: please complete as outlined. Please also insure to sign this

section.

Worksheet ‘Staff’: please complete the man-years for all researchers on the project

and the cost associated with contract staff.

Worksheet ‘Equipment’: please complete in full. The depreciated cost is the amount

that should appear in the equivalent section in Worksheet ‘Overall’

Worksheet ‘Travel and subsistence’: Please complete in full.

28

DECLARATION (PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR)

I declare that the information contained in this application is complete and true to the best of

my knowledge and belief.

Signature of Project Coordinator: ________________________________________

Date: ______________

Documents

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Food ... · 1 Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) NETWORK & TEAM BUILDING INITIATIVE