TSE research programme review 2002-2007: open meeting

The FSA TSE research programme aims to provide a sound scientific basis for estimating the possible food borne risk from TSEs and to allow proportionate and enforceable controls to be put in place to protect the consumer from the risk of exposure to TSE infectivity. TSE research is used as a basis for EU legislation and is central to TSE policy at the FSA.

Many uncertainties and knowledge gaps surround the area of TSE. The FSA TSE research programme aims to provide information to improve the knowledge base in such gaps. Projects commissioned address the Agency’s TSE policy objectives, such as the review of the Over Thirty Month (OTM) scheme, TSE diagnostics, pathogenesis, epidemiology and emerging TSE issues as highlighted following advice from expert groups such as the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee.

The programme under review covers the period from April 2002 to March 2007, with a budget of approximately £15 milion and includes more than 45 individual research projects. Only projects completed or ongoing between April 2004 and March 2007 will be presented at the meeting. Those projects completed between April 2002 and March 2004 were reviewed in June 2004 and a document presenting the conclusions of this meeting published.

Further information and the 2004 review document can be found via the link at the bottom of this page. The output from the mid-term review meeting will be considered with discussions on the latter part of the review to ensure the programme as a whole has met the objectives set out in the research programme rationale.

The review is being performed to evaluate the success of the programme against its policy aims and objectives and its utility to the Agency and its stakeholders. It also looks forward to recommend what new research (if any) should be undertaken in this area.

For the 2002-2007 end of programme review, three panels of independent scientific experts have already met to discuss the scientific quality of the programme. Comments were given on the current programme along with recommendations for the future scientific focus of the FSA. Output from these meetings will be fed into the TSE research programme review open meeting.

The research programme review open meeting will be held on Monday 9 July 2007 and will provide stakeholders, public and scientists alike, the opportunity to comment on the outcomes of the 2002-2007 research programme and the future direction of FSA research. The open meeting will include a poster session covering the different projects in the programme and an open discussion with a panel of independent experts and FSA representatives. The discussion will focus on the objectives of the past programme and its future direction. Comments and conclusions from the open meeting will help the FSA develop its future research programme.

Members of the public are welcome to participate in this meeting, which will be held on 9 July 2007 in central London. Attendance is free, but those attending will have to meet any associated travel or accommodation costs. Early registration is recommended as numbers are limited.

Should you be interested in participating in this event please complete the application form, which can be found below, and return it to the FSA by 25 June 2007. For more information please contact Carles Orri:

Email: carles.orri@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0207 276 8329