Detecting and controlling of emerging risks (Apollon - Executive summary)

The increasing complexity of food production chains, climate change, increased resistance of pathogens and progressive internationalisation, heighten the risk of new, unforeseen problems which could affect the safety of our food as well as animal health and plant health. This report identifies these “emerging risks”. The social and economic consequences of these risks could be immense. The NVWA’s Office for Risk Assessment and Research (BuRO) is responsible for identifying and anticipating risks for the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Health, Welfare and Sport. To be able to fulfil this role, BuRO needs a methodology to identify the potential hazards in the field of food safety, animal and plant health, and consumer products at an early stage.