It has become clear in recent decades that an ability to proactively identify threats to the food chain is highly desirable insofar as arresting these threats before they impact is important for the protection of public health and maintaining consumer confidence in the food chain. A great effort is currently underway to ascertain the most effective methods by which this can be achieved. Mostly these employ various predictive techniques such as horizon scanning which focusses on the early detection of potentially important changes through a systematic examination of possible threats and opportunities. A key element to making Horizon scanning work is the extent to which stakeholder networking influences the capacity for prediction and many authorities, including the European Food Safety Authority, emphasise the importance of local networks, and networks of networks, in this regard.
This report sets out to identify what elements are needed for the identification of emerging food safety issues from an island of Ireland perspective. From the outset, it is acknowledged that the Agri-Food industry is the most probable environment in which emerging food safety issues impact the food chain, and current and historical issues that have had the most significant impact, are described. Drivers-of-change that could facilitate the emergence of food safety threats are addressed in the report as are important data sources and networking structures for disseminating information. Finally, a potential structure for addressing emerging food safety issues on an all-island basis is proffered and a remit for the co-ordinating body responsible for orchestrating activities in this regard is suggested.
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