>> Invitation to a Workshop on Sampling for GMO Traceability in the Agri-Food and Feed Chain
This two-day workshop (23-24 April 2008, Rome, Italy) aims at addressing the issue of appropriate and effective sampling for GMOs analysis in terms of description of the current state of knowledge, existing gaps, preliminary Co-Extra results and future recommendations under the “fit for purpose” approach.
The key focus of the meeting will be on:
- giving an overview of sampling strategies actually in place in the EU;
- illustrating sampling activities and first outcomes of the Co-Extra project;
- identifying needs and difficulties usually experienced during sampling by stakeholders for compliance to GMOs labeling and traceability at the most representative levels of the supply chain;
- learning from Competent Authorities about sampling procedures actually in place for GMO official control.
The Workshop is organised by the National Institute of Health (ISS) Rome–Italy in collaboration with the Co-Extra project (www.coextra.eu)
- Programme: http://www.coextra.eu/pdf/report1178.pdf
- Registration form: http://www.coextra.eu/pdf/report1183.pdf
- Location: http://www.coextra.eu/pdf/report1180.pdf
- Accommodations: http://www.coextra.eu/pdf/report1179.pdf
Contact point: roberta.onori@iss.it
+++ We kindly ask you to forward this invitation to any of your colleagues that might be interested +++
>> Workshop on Post Market Environmental Monitoring of Genetically Modified Plants: From Data to Conclusions – Next Steps towards Monitoring
The workshop (24 - 25 April 2008, Berlin, Germany) will deal with concepts for the collation, analysis and sharing of monitoring data. The following concepts of the monitoring approach: (i) gathering focussed data (e.g. questionnaires), (ii) identifying existing surveillance systems for suitable non-focussed information, (iii) data-recall facilities (summarized by meta-analysis) and the coordination of data collation and reporting (e.g. by a central reporting office) shall be discussed during the workshop.
Key topics are
- Meta-analysis of data: tools, methodologies, examples
- What kind of data will lead to appropriate information? What data do we need? How to distinguish between usual and unusual variability?
- General Surveillance addressing long term effects and multiple events
- Concepts and necessity for a Central Reporting Office, responsibilities and tasks
Plenary sessions will provide a general introduction presented by invited speakers, followed by two parallel working groups. These are (A) Monitoring of Bt maize: experiences, data analysis and interpretation and (B) Data collection, reporting and processing (including joint monitoring of multiple GM crops and centralised reporting).
The workshop is organised by the Julius Kuehn-Institute.