Sample-based data model extended to veterinary drug residues

Sample-based reporting using standardised description elements is already used to collect occurrence The fact or frequency of something (e.g. a disease or deficiency in a population) happening data from Member States in areas such as food additives, chemical contaminants, pesticide Substance used to kill or control pests, including disease-carrying organisms and undesirable insects, animals and plants residues and antimicrobial resistance The ability of microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi) to survive exposure to antimicrobials. This phenomenon, driven largely by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents (e.g. antibiotics, fungicides used as plant protection agents, etc), makes infections harder to treat and poses a significant threat to public health.. 

Monitoring data on veterinary medicinal product (VMP) residues are currently submitted annually in an aggregated format to a database maintained by the European Commission. EFSA then examines the data and presents the results in annual reports. However, aggregation does not lend itself to complex statistical analysis and is of limited value for quantitative exposure Concentration or amount of a particular substance that is taken in by an individual, population or ecosystem in a specific frequency over a certain amount of time and risk assessments. The move to direct collection of data in a sample-based format will enable EFSA and the European Commission to tackle questions related to the risk assessment A specialised field of applied science that involves reviewing scientific data and studies in order to evaluate risks associated with certain hazards. It involves four steps: hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation and risk management The management of risks which have been identified by risk assessment. It includes the planning, implementation and evaluation of any resulting actions taken to protect consumers, animals and the environment of VMP residues. 

As with the other areas, providers will be asked to submit data through EFSA’s web-based Data Collection Framework (DCF). To support reporting countries, EFSA has published guidelines  on the reporting of data on VMP residues in live animals and animal products using the sample-based model. The guidelines include detailed information on the format and type of content required for submission through the DCF.

EFSA also offers financial assistance to help Member States adopt its sample-based model (Standard Sample Description 2, or SSD2) for data collections in different domains. In 2014 eight contracts were awarded to support collection of SSD2 data on pesticides, food additives, and chemical or microbiological contaminants. This year the call – which will be launched in the coming weeks – has been extended to include VMP residues. 

Adopting SSD2 as a one-stop reporting model for different domains will ultimately help Member States to save time and money in both the collection and transmission of data.

• Guidelines for reporting data on residues of veterinary medicinal products