Co-developing and updating a new SRIA!
During the FS4EU project the FSOLab 3 was dedicated to co-design the proposal for the Food Safety Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) by involving the Food Safety Stakeholders in a structured participatory process to prioritise Research and Innovation needs.
A multi-stakeholder group of selected experts has co-designed the contents, discussed and defined the main topics to be addressed by a new SRIA, that matches the future challenges of the European Food Safety System, supporting a safe transition.
The iterative process was conducted by a project team led by IBA Bucharest, partner of the FS4EU project, involving more than 30 experts in the discussion and confrontation, supported by professionals in social innovation, who have facilitated the implementation of the methodology. The final SRIA has been presented to the EU Commission, EFSA, JRC representatives, Universities, Research centres, Industries, Producers and consumer associations at the first European Food Safety Forum on 28 and 29 November 2023 in Brussels.
During the Co-creation Session at the 2nd European Food Safety Forum on 2 and 3 December 2024 in Rome, participants contributed to update the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), ensuring it remains aligned with emerging challenges and opportunities.
How we involved the platform towards the SRIA: the FSOLab experience
In September 2021, the Food Safety Operational Lab 3 (FSOLab 3) kicked off with 22 participants from 14 nations across different business sectors (e.g., research, industry, academia, European Initiatives, Food Safety Authorities etc.).
The relevant stakeholders involved in FSOLab 3 are:
a) Authorities/Ministries: a leading role in promoting policies on the basis of the scientific evidence (EFSA, Food Safety Authorities);
b) Research/Academia: a secondary or supportive role in producing scientific evidence (Universities/research institutes);
c) Food Safety services, including laboratories: a secondary or supportive role in producing scientific evidence;
d) Food industry associations: influenced by food safety new knowledge and legislation (food industry associations);
e) Farmer associations-influenced by food safety new knowledge and legislation.
Rationale
The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) contributes to reinforcing the role of Europe as a global leader in food safety standards and creating broader impacts on society. Guaranteeing enough safe food for present and future generations means strong innovation in methods for food production, processing, storage, preservation, transport, and distribution as well as in approaches to assess and monitor food quality and safety.
Suggested Pilot Actions
Two Pilot Actions were suggested for the core theme of the novel hazard and risks:
Pilot Action No. 1: Alliance on Food systems: emerging risks and hazards
Goals:
– To bring together all the food safety actors for building a common strategy to address emerging risks and hazards
– To have an overall picture of the actors and repository of research/actions/initiatives
– European Food Safety Partnership as a tool for collaboration
– Pilot approach for building a part of the EFS Forum
Pilot Action No. 2: Fast-response RIA for emerging hazards
Goal:
– Strategy for a Research Innovation Agenda
Target groups (involved in drafting the SRIA through a wide consultation): national authorities (e.g. FSA), policy makers and risk managers (e.g DG Sante, EFSA), research, industry, consumers, society, professional associations, ad hoc young people structured group) to guarantee a systemic approach and cross-sectorial approach.
FSOLab 3 Team
Denisa Duta
Lab Manager
National Research and Development Institute for Food Bioresources – IBA Bucharest
Biancamaria Ciasca
Lab Manager
CNR-ISPA
FSOLab 3 Steps & Updates
The drafted pilot ideas have been further analyzed and discussed in the 2nd FSOlab 3 workshop (Autumn 2021) to establish a priority list of topics for future research to address global challenges (SDGs, RRI). The consultation for the SRIA has been launched in November 2022, asking for contributions from actors of the platform, supporting partners, and other stakeholders.
You can know more about the results of the 1st Meeting of this FSOLab by reading the article here.
