SUPPORTING EVIDENCE-BASED POLICIESProfessor Mike RobertsChief Executive

Central Science Laboratory Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

United Kingdom

BackgroundPurpose built 120M laboratory based in YorkTurnover - 42m700 staff, over 500 live projects

AIM: Sustaining and safeguarding agriculture, food and environment

Creating knowledge, providing solutions

CustomersVeterinary Medicines DirectoratePesticides Safety DirectorateCountryside AgenciesEuropean CommissionEnvironment AgencyFood Standards AgencyIndustry and Levy BoardsDepartment for Environment and Rural AffairsDepartment for International DevelopmentOverseas Governments

Implementing our vision for sustainable food and farming

Key challenges

High quality and sustainable food chainTechnical challenges from resource constraints and environmental degradationIncorporating new technologies and learning lessons from the past from GM foods to nanotechnologyEnvironmental Stewardship - rewarding farmers role as sustainable land managers

Example of food chain research: time-temperature indicators and their contribution to a more efficient food industry

CSL ObjectivesCounter invasive species, pests and diseases and support contingency plans.Promote safety of pesticides, veterinary medicines and environmental contaminants.Assess the quality, authenticity and safety of foods.Support agri-environment schemes, wildlife management and vertebrate control. Develop novel biocontrol agents and non-food crops.

Science at CSL

Scientific Services Data Flow

Applications

Defra + FSA Code of Practice ISO 9001

UKAS

GLP

Laboratory Information Management Systems - LIMS

Quality Assurance

Sample collection

Sample preparation

Sample analysis

Wildlife forensics and diseases

Plant pests and diseases

Pesticide and vet drug residues in food

Contaminants in food

Composition of food

0

30,000

Direct to customer

Knowledge management

Risk assessment

Regulatory surveillance

Monitoring & compliance

Modelling

Research

15,000

Sampling

Analysis

Sample numbers

Data transfer

Sample reception

Proficiency Testing

Chart3

45004250

122507500

262005548

2300010400

100807490

Contingency

Normal

Sheet1

NormalContingency

42504500

750012250

554826200

1040023000

749010080

Sheet1

00

00

00

00

00

Normal

Contingency

Sheet2

Sheet3

EU Activities1.EFSA Risk AssessmentCollaborative Research FP63. Support to new member states TWINNING

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)Risk AssessmentHazard identificationhazard characterisationexposure assessmentrisk characterisation

Risk Communicationwww.efsa.eu.intNOT Risk Management (DG SANCO)

European Food Safety AuthorityIndependent scientific advice on food safety issues to underpin policy development and legislation related to the food chainScience Committees:-Food additives, flavourings, processing and contact materials-Dietetic products, nutrition and allergiesScience Programmes -Integration of data-Emerging Risks-Contingency support

Nitrofurans Analyses - Port Health Samples

Sheet1

Nitrofurans 2003/2004

AprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMar

Port Health Brazilian chicken1491358716030326624991871099463

$35052,15047,25030,45056,000106,05093,10087,15031,85030,45038,15032,90022,050

Port Health Thai prawns26629200000000

$3509,1002,10010,15070000000000

Port Health Thai chicken0801901205746545343501

& Taiwanese fish 350028,00066,50042,00019,95016,10018,90018,55015,0501,7500350

VMD 2003/200467827371518311315232000

$27518,42522,55020,07519,52514,02522,82531,07541,8008,800000

King Faisal Hospital3601452571962001632191337518020

$300108,00043,50077,10058,80060,00048,90065,70039,90022,50054,0006000

Commercial1111201171271221516230811416

350*3,8503,8507,00039,55044,45042,70052,85019,30010,50028,3504,9005,600

Monthly sample numbers61345965666673868078649126737511080

Monthly income191,525147,250211,275216,575244,475223,625255,675151,40087,300122,25038,40028,000

Cumulative income191,525338,775550,050766,6251,011,1001,234,7251,490,4001,641,8001,729,1001,851,3501,889,7501,917,750

Total sample numbers5,921

Total Income1,917,750

PH Brazil chicken (London)1,793

Tilbury, Thamesport & Heathrow627,550

PH Thai prawns63

Suffolk & Southampton22,050

PH Thai chicken/Taiwanese fish649Total PHA2,505

Suffolk & Southampton227,150876,750

VMD724

199,100

King Faisal1,930

579,000

Commercial762

262,900

Sheet2

Sample Numbers20032004

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMar

Port Health Brazilian chicken1491358716030326624991871099463

$35052,15047,25030,45056,000106,05093,10087,15031,85030,45038,15032,90022,050

Port Health Thai prawns26629200000000

$3509,1002,10010,15070000000000

Port Health Thai chicken0801901205746545343501

& Taiwanese fish 350028,00066,50042,00019,95016,10018,90018,55015,0501,7500350

Total1201823661752213062823603123031441301149464

Average turnround time (days)

1112131414121113131211111185

Chart1

12011

18212

36613

17514

22114

30612

28211

36013

31213

30312

14411

13011

11411

948

645

&A

Page &P

Turnround target (prawn)

Turnround target (chicken)

3,200 samples with average t/round of 11 days

Capital 250K

Capital 250K

Number of samples

Turnround time (days)

Sheet3

Numbers of Samples of Spices for Illegal Dyes Analyses24531 Sudan I, II, III & IV

2 Para Red

3 Rhodamine B, Sudan Orange G Sudan Red 7B Butter Yellow

4 Orange II

5 Sudan Red B Sudan Red G Sudan Black B Toluidene Red1

Chart1

15

311

186

404

367

110

Sheet1

MonthNo of Samples

Feb-0515

Mar-05311

Apr-05186

May-05404

Jun-05367

Jul-05110

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sheet2

Sheet3

Priorities in FP6 ProgrammeTotal food chainEpidemiology of food-related diseasesImpact of food on healthTraceability along the production chainMethods of analysis, detection and controlSafer and environmentally friendly production methods and technologiesImpact of animal feed on human healthEnvironmental health issues

Some examples of EU projects involving CSLIntegrated Project TRACE (co-ordinated by CSL)Integrated Project BIOCOP (co-ordinated N Ireland)STREP project HEATOX (co-ordinated Sweden)STREP project QA-LIBRA (co-ordinated Iceland)SSA project SELAMAT (co-ordinated Netherlands)

(IP) - tracing the origin of food

To develop traceability methods and systems that will provide consumers with added confidence in the authenticity of European food. 18. 6 M 60 months 50 participants (13 SMEs)European Commission -DG Research

European initiatives to support food traceabilityConsumer socio-economic concerns and preferences relating to the origin of food- BSE, dioxins, Sudan red, regional foods, type of production

EU FPVI Food 2003 2A T 4.1 Development of reliable traceability methods and systems to establish the origin/mode of production of food products

European Commission -DG ResearchTraceability systemsAnalytical ToolsConsumer Awareness & BehaviourDemonstration, Training, DisseminationTIMCSForkFarm+Traceable data capable of verifying the origin of food(IP) - tracing the origin of food

Twinning Supporting EU Enlargement

EU-funded Twinning Programme

Aims to assist Accession States and Candidate Countries develop modern and efficient administrations comparable to those of Member States

Experts from Member States work with the beneficiary States for at least a year to build capacity in clearly defined areas

Twinning is open to public sector organisations only

Support to new Member States - TWINNINGCSL will work with Accession Countries to build capacity in Phytosanitory Regulations and Food Safety

Twinning CSLs portfolio of projects

Phytosanitary support for Poland (with NI-CO; 200406)

Phytosanitary support for Estonia (with CABI & PDIR; 200407)

Plant protection training in Lithuania (with PSD & SASA; 200506)

Phytosanitary support for Hungary (tba)

Food safety support in Malta (with FSAI; 2005-06)

Establishment of Food-Chain Laboratories Agency in Republic of Serbia (with FSA & NI-CO; 2005-07)

EU FP6: PORT CHECK Coordinator: CSL (I Barker)Network of EU Plant Health testing labs and inspection services (38 partners;)Strong SME presencePrincipal stakeholders includedR&D partners (black)SME partners (grey)Ring testing partners (green)

Feasibility of transferring real-time PCR technology to EU inspection services (quarantine plant diseases). Improved policing of EU borders to protect our crops and native species. Contingency planning: animal health and agri-bioterrorism.

EU FP6: PORTCHECK: On-site testingEU FP6: PORTCHECK: On-site testing

Aim: To improve the cooperation and coordination of research programmes through: Networking of research activities conducted at national or regional level. Mutual opening of national and regional research programmes. EUPHRESCO (EU PHytosanitary RESearch Coordination) ERA-NET Coordination Action (CA) Maximum funding: 3 million Euros (100% eligible costs) Initiated by the COPHS and also supported by SCAR Coordinator: Defra CSL, UK ca. 4 years duration Proposal to be submitted to the final FP6 call: 4 Oct 2005

Sixth Framework Programme - ERA-NET Scheme

Eligible partners are research funders/programme managers acting on behalf of Member State legal entitiesFull partners must also have an existing research programme in the phytosanitary field.24 Full partners, representing 17 countries: UK, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.6 Observers: Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta and Portugal.

EUPHRESCO - Partners

Sustainable Agriculture and Food SafetyEU and national strategy shifting from agricultural competitiveness to underpinning sustainable rural economy and environmental objectives.Pro-active approach of EU Agencies to food safety, with increases in national monitoring programmes and controls on food imports.National requirements to maintain capacity for risk management and contingency responses.Consolidation of the science base in national institutes and within ag-chem and food industries.

Phytosanitary support for PolandCSL has supported the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in improving the skills of plant health field inspectors. Training was given also to help the inspectors deal with emergency plant health measures, including containment and eradication of harmful organisms. Phytosanitary support for EstoniaProviding training to the Estonian Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Centre in the testing and diagnosis of organisms harmful to plant health is the aim of this programme. By the end of the project, the ARC will have high quality laboratory facilities and well-trained staff.Plant protection training in LithuaniaPhytosanitary laboratory staff and inspectors of the State Plant Protection Service in Lithuania are being trained in research and risk assessment methods relating to plant protection products. Support will also help to improve the functioning of the plant variety testing systems and the use of models in forecasting pest and disease spread. Phytosanitary support for HungaryEnsuring that the plant health inspectors and diagnosticians of the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are fully trained is the central aim of this project. This is a core part of the strategy to improve the national plant health inspection system.Food safety improvements in MaltaCSL is working with the Maltese Department of Public Health to ensure that it has the ability to carry out HACCP auditing of the food industry. Auditors will be trained as part of the plan to enforce the HACCP system at all levels of the food industry. In addition, laboratory staff will be trained in new analytical techniques for residues and contaminants in food.

Establishment of Food-Chain Laboratories Agency in Republic of Serbia CSL is working with the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and later following its establishment, the Food-Chain Laboratories Agency, in order to assure standards on food safety in line with the relevant EU legislation. There are 3 components; - 1.To assist the development of the operating structure of the FCLA ; 2. To assist with the development of laboratory procedures; & 3. To examine future strategies for business planning