Drivers of emerging risks and their interactions in the domain of biological risks to animal, plant and public health: a pilot study

This technical report describes the outcomes of a pilot study for the identification of drivers of emerging risks and their interactions in the domain of biological risks to animal, plant and public health. Steps were taken towards a structured approach for identification of drivers of emerging biological risks and their interactions. The pilot study was based on three steps. Step 1 involved a consultation of the Animal health and welfare (AHAW) and Biological hazards (BIOHAZ) Panels through an adapted Delphi approach with the overall objective of identifying drivers and emerging issues. Step 2 involved a workshop using General Morphological Analysis (GMA) to structure the complex domain of drivers of emerging risk and their interaction. Step 3 involved discussion of the results of step 1 and 2 with the EFSA AHAW, BIOHAZ and Plant health (PLH) Panels and the EFSA Scientific Committee by discussion of the outcomes in their plenary meetings and by written consultation. The outcomes of this pilot study provide conclusions on the applicability of the approach proposed as a tool to achieve a proactive assessment of emerging risks in the domain of biological risks to animal, plant and public health. The technical report also provides recommendations on steps to be taken to further develop the approach outlined in this report and to continue to explore further tools to identify emerging biological risk.