G03 Mid-Programme Review Report September 2008

Each programme of research commissioned by the FSA has a mid-programme review to evaluate its success and current progression. The NFASD G03 research programme review took place at a two-day meeting in September 2008. The first day of the meeting was an open session which consisted of presentations and discussions on each of the G03 projects. The second day of the meeting was a closed session involving the expert review panel, Agency officials and the G03 programme advisor. Individual projects and the G03 programme were reviewed in accordance with standard Agency procedures, and recommendations were made as to the content and future direction of the programme.

From it’s commencement in July 2005 to date (September 2008), the Agency’s G03 research programme has an overall budgetary commitment of £2,724,000. It aims to build upon, and continue to support, the EU mandatory safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) and novel foods, in order to allow the most up to date scientific knowledge to be used. The programme fulfils the Agency’s policy objectives to ensure food safety through rigorous assessment of GM and novel foods. It also forms part of the Agency’s strategic plan to ensure that food safety legislation is enforced and that the evidence base is strengthened by taking into account the best available science.

Projects funded in the G03 programme can be split into three research ‘themes’: (1) general issues surrounding novel and GM foods; such as transgene survival and gene transfer to humans or bacteria, and also post-market monitoring of phytosterols; (2) the safety assessment of GM crops; and (3) the development of high throughput, low cost GM detection methods to support the enforcement of the GM food and feed labelling regulations (EC/1829/2003 and EC/1830/2003).

The purpose of the review was to evaluate the projects that have been commissioned since the start of the G03 programme in 2005, in terms of their scientific quality, relevance to Agency policy needs and value for money. An independent panel of reviewers, with expertise in the subject areas of relevance to the programme was convened to assist the Agency in its evaluation. The panel also determined whether the projects had addressed the original aims and objectives of the programme. Finally, a horizon scanning session was used to identify potential gaps and possible areas of future research within the G03 programme.

The review consisted of a series of presentations and discussions on relevant projects in the context of the research questions, and the Agency policy needs that they were commissioned to address. The event was structured around three different research themes with a total of nine research projects being presented, all at various stages of completion.

The review panel considered the G03 research programme had been successful in addressing the majority of its objectives, and collectively the projects funded within the programme had significantly increased the current state of scientific knowledge in a number of key areas. The panel were extremely satisfied with the scientific quality and delivery of the projects funded which had resulted in a number of outputs that were relevant to the Agency’s policy needs.

The panel suggested that any future research on GM detection should focus on research into the detection of unauthorised genetically modified organisms. In addition, it was important to explore the possible 'next steps' in the utilisation of metabolomics to improve the safety assessment of GM plants.

The full report of the review can be found at the link below. A hard copy of the report is also available on request.

Dr David Jefferies
Novel Foods, Additives and Supplements Division G03 Programme Manager
tel: 0207 276 8573
email: david.jefferies@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk