Background
After the success of the first Science Meets Policy virtual conference in September 2020 (over 500 participants from 49 countries), EFSA and the European Commission’s Inter-European Union Reference Laboratories (EURLs) Working Group on Whole Genome Sequencing are jointly organising the second event in the series. EFSA will host the event in its premises in Parma, Italy on 5 and 6 September 2023.
At the previous conference in 2020, stakeholders discussed the state of play regarding the development of an EU system for collecting and analysing genomic data from foodborne pathogens to support decision-making by the competent authorities. The event focused mainly on the challenges resulting from the absence of a legal framework.
The upcoming conference will stimulate further discussion on new methodologies and standards for data sharing, and will identify specific areas for action for possible inclusion in a roadmap that was specifically conceived by stakeholders to bridge the gaps identified at the first event.
The event will also give special attention to the legal aspects of food safety, highlighting barriers to the endorsement of the approach mentioned above, and cover possible solutions that reflect the current and/or future strategies of the competent authorities and stakeholders participating in the event.
Who should attend?
The meeting is open to all interested parties. It is particularly relevant for food safety risk assessment competent authorities and policymakers in the EU and beyond, as well as food business operators, academics and stakeholders with an interest in the topic.
Physical participation is limited to a maximum of 200 attendees, while the number of online attendees is unlimited.
Online registration
Registration is open until 31 May at 12:00 (CEST) for physical participation and 1 September for online attendance.
EFSA reserves the right to screen registrations for physical participation to ensure a balanced representation of all stakeholder and expertise groups. Registrants for in-person attendance will be informed whether their physical participation is confirmed after 2 June. Registration for in-person attendance may close earlier than the indicated deadline if the maximum number of participants is reached before that date.
Logistical information
The meeting will be held at EFSA’s premises in Parma, Italy and online.
We will communicate further logistical details to selected participants for in-person attendance when their registration is confirmed. For online participants, the link to connect to the meeting will be communicated on 1 September.
The event will be in English. No translation will be provided.
Participation is free of charge. Unless invited by EFSA, in-person participants are required to cover their travel and accommodation costs.
Contact
For more information, please contact the organising committee at events@efsa.europa.eu.
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