Applied Research and Method Development

Applied Research and Method Development Applied Research and Method Development activities are based on a holistic "farm-to-fork" approach that targets specific problems identified by Member States. They typically focus on the effectiveness of irradiation as a quarantine treatment for insect pests and method to ensure food & environmental safety. The latter include monitoring of residues and contaminants, both upstream and end product testing. The subprogramme has a regional outreach through the IAEA Collaborating Centre for eLearning and Accelerated Capacity Building for Food and Environmental Protection (EACB).

Coordinated Research Projects

The FEP Subprogramme develops, formulates and coordinates Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs). CRPs bring together laboratories in both developing and developed Member States to collaborate on research topics of common interests. Each CRP is implemented through the Agency's Research Contracts Administration and consists of a network of 10-15 national research institutes from developing (contract holders) and developed Member States as agreement holders. Each CRP commonly lasts for five to six years, during which normally four Research Coordination Meetings (RCMs) are held to evaluate the progress and to coordinate future research activities.

Nuclear-based techniques (irradiators, stable and radioactive isotopes) are used in these CRPs. They provide methods for ensuring food safety as well as qualitative and quantitative determination of residues and contaminants. These are essential tools for Member States in implementing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems and in ensuring the application of good agricultural practices throughout the food chain.

Results of research activities within each CRP are disseminated to all Member States through national, international and IAEA and FAO scientific and technical publications, including FAO/IAEA eLearning. The CRPs are complementary to, and in some case, integral components of the Agency's Technical Cooperation Projects (TCPs), with the knowledge gained via CRPs used to enhance the quality of TCPs. Conversely, capacity built under TCPs helps deliver outputs and outcomes from CRPs.

Information on the IAEA Coordinated Research Programme and how to apply for research contracts and research agreements can be found at http://www-crp.iaea.org/html/forms.html.

Information of current and previous CRPs can be found here.

Food and Environmental Protection Laboratory

The Food and Environmental Protection Laboratory (FEPL) is located at the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratories, Seibersdorf and in close cooperation with the Food and Environmental Protection Section of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division, assists Member States in the implementation of the relevant Codex Standards to meet the requirements of the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures relating to trade in food and agricultural commodities. The activities of the unit include training and technical back-up.

Training

The FEPL implements various training activities through the FAO/IAEA Training and Reference Centre for Food and Pesticide Control (TRC). Training Courses are organized both at the FAO/IAEA laboratories and in host laboratories in Member States. Training is mainly focused on enhancing the capabilities of analytical laboratories and subjects include:

Training is also provided through Fellowships at the Laboratory, organized through national or regional Technical Cooperation Projects.

Technical back-up

FEPL staff are designated as Technical Officers for several Technical Cooperation Projects and work closely with the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation in the management of these projects. The laboratory also provides technical back-up and troubleshooting for methodologies implemented in Member State laboratories.

The Laboratory produces an annual Activities Report which is available for downloading together with the biannual Newsletter on the Sub-Programme's present and future activities.

For further information please contact the Head, Food and Environmental Protection Laboratory, Official.Mail@iaea.org