Food and Environmental Protection

The Food and Environmental Protection Section of the Joint Programme and its associated Agrochemicals Unit of the FAO/IAEA FAO/IAEA Agricultural and Biotechnology Laboratory in Seibersdorf provide assistance and support to countries in their efforts to ensure the safety and quality of food and agricultural commodities while at the same time facilitating international trade. Our activities primarily focus on strengthening Member State capacities for the application of international standards on irradiation as well as on the use of nuclear and related analytical technologies and capacity building in the management of food and environmental hazards. These efforts are based on a coordinated and comprehensive “farm to fork” approach to food production systems that ensure the application of good agricultural practices throughout the food chain.

Present activities focus on:

• The application of harmonized national regulations for sanitary and phytosanitary applications of irradiation on the basis of international standards.
• The revision and application of harmonized regulations related to radionuclide levels in foods.
• The application of harmonized national regulations related to good laboratory practices and analytical procedures for food contaminants and residues, including pesticides and veterinary drugs.
• The application of harmonized international guidance related to nuclear preparedness and response to nuclear or radiological events, including the application of appropriate agricultural countermeasures.

These activities are undertaken in four main areas, namely, coordination and support in research, providing technical and advisory services, providing laboratory support and training and collecting, analyzing and disseminating information. Our activities are implemented through Coordinated Research Projects, Technical Cooperation Projects, Meetings and Training Courses, eLearning courses, and Publications.