Science Meets Policy conference: Using Next Generation Sequencing to tackle foodborne threats

After the success of the first Science Meets Policy virtual conference in September 2020 (over 500 participants from 49 countries), EFSA and the European Commission’s Inter-European Union Reference Laboratories (EURLs) Working Group on Whole Genome Sequencing are jointly organising the second event in the series. EFSA hosted the event in its premises in Parma, Italy on 5 and 6 September 2023.

At the previous conference in 2020, stakeholders discussed the state of play regarding the development of an EU system for collecting and analysing genomic data from foodborne pathogens to support decision-making by the competent authorities. The event focused mainly on the challenges resulting from the absence of a legal framework. 

The conference stimulated further discussion on new methodologies and standards for data sharing, and identified specific areas for action for possible inclusion in a roadmap that was specifically conceived by stakeholders to bridge the gaps identified at the first event.

The event also gave special attention to the legal aspects of food safety, highlighting barriers to the endorsement of the approach mentioned above, and covered possible solutions that reflect the current and/or future strategies of the competent authorities and stakeholders participating in the event.

The event was attended by around 150 in-person participants and 250 online connections.

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