Annual report of the Scientific Network on BSE-TSE

Report (0.2 Mb)

Summary

Developing networking and stronger co-operation with the Member States and strengthening EFSA’s relationship with its institutional partners (EU and international) and stakeholders are among the key recommendations formulated by EFSA’s Management Board. In accordance with EFSA’s strategy for cooperation and networking with Member States, the Scientific Network on BSE-TSE was launched in 2006. The BSE/TSE network had its first meeting in 2006 and following this, one meeting per year.

The main overall goals of the Scientific Network on BSE-TSE are to: improve dialogue among participants; build mutual understanding of risk assessment principles; enhance knowledge on and confidence in the scientific assessments carried out in EU; and to provide increased transparency in the current process among Member States and EFSA. In turn, it aims to raise the harmonisation level of the risk assessments developed in EU.

The network is currently composed as follows: Network Members representing 26 Member States (MSs) and Network Observers representing EFTA countries, EU Candidate Countries, Potential EU Candidate Countries. There is also representation from the European Commission Directorates-General of Health and Consumers and of Research.

Beyond exchanging information on the activities in the BSE-TSE field carried out by the Members, Observers and EFSA since the last meeting, the following issues were discussed in the 2011 meeting: the details of the Commission strategy paper “The TSE Road map 2”, the inspections of the Food and Veterinary Office regarding the verification of official controls on BSE and TSE, the update on the epidemiological situation on TSEs in ruminants in the EU and the approval process of the rapid TSE tests employed in the EU. The finding of two BSE cases that occurred in Switzerland in 2011 that presented a prion protein phenotype distinct from those of Classical, L-type and H-type Atypical BSE was discussed. Finally, the state of the art of several scientific issues related to TSEs in small ruminants was presented by a guest Lecturer.

Following the discussion on future activities of the Network, it was decided by the Members and Observers of the Network to continue meeting once per year and to use the available electronic tools for discussion and data exchange if needed.