Objectives
The mission of this task force is to contribute to the understanding of the risks to human health and the environment that result from food production and food processing, and to promote best practices to manage these risks. It addresses scientific issues related to the assessment and control of agricultural and industrial impact on the environment and promotes the sustainable use of natural resources.
Activities
Sustainable Water Management for Crops
Agriculture is the world’s largest water user. For decades it has been responsible for the withdrawal of about 70% of all fresh water consumed worldwide. Global water consumption rose six-fold between 1900 and 1995 –more than double the rate of population growth– and continues to grow rapidly as agricultural, industrial, and domestic demand increases. In particular, agriculture is projected to require 17% more water to meet the demands of the growing population by 2025.
There is a clear need to improve water management in the agricultural sector, both qualitatively and quantitatively. It is therefore timely to investigate the different ways in which water is used in the production of various food and feed crops. An expert group will map and assess the currently used methods and practices and see how sustainability could be improved. It will also consider agricultural areas with water shortages with particular focus on the identification of ways to improve efficiency of use. Aspects such as pollution, misuse and recycling of water will also be taken into account. The final objective is a guidance document for both farmers and the food industry highlighting best models of agronomic practices for the production of the most commonly grown crops.
It will address the following aspects:
- EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Common Agriculture Policies (CAP)
- Crop Modelling Information and Validation
- Good agricultural practices (GAPs), including irrigation
- Industry needs and crop needs
The task force has appointed an Expert Group to prepare the guidance document.
Water Safety and the Food Chain
The WHO Guidelines for drinking water quality set microbial and chemical quality targets for potable water. Water as used by industry is currently classified as either potable or non-potable. One can argue that what is important is suitability for intended use, e.g. there is no need to wash the beets delivered to a sugar plant with drinking water. Therefore, an Expert Group (EG) prepared an outline for a conceptual framework to evaluate the safety of water required to achieve fitness for purpose. They elaborated a risk assessment-based framework compatible with current HACCP protocols to optimise water use and to assess the potential impact of changes in water quality on food production/processing.
The report has been published in the ILSI Europe Report Series.
Risk Assessment of Sewage Sludge
With the revision of the European Directive 86/278/EEC on sludge, the task force may decide to contribute further by investigating the extension of the probabilistic risk assessment conceptual framework to inorganic compounds in sewage sludge.
An Expert Group carried out a case study on the probabilistic risk assessment of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfinate (LAS) in sewage sludge used on agricultural land. The results have been published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 2007;49:245–59.
Task Force Collaborators
The scientists below participate in the task force and expert groups:
Experts from supporting member companies
Dr. Stuart Marshall, Unilever (UK)
Dr. Ivo Brants, Monsanto Europe-Africa (BE)
Dr. António M. Calado, H J Heinz (PT)
Dr. Yves Coppin, Veolia Environment (FR)
Dr. Thomas Ingermann, Kraft Foods (DE)
Mr. Klaus Stadler Coca-Cola European Union Group (BE)
Experts from public institutes
Prof. Colin Brown, University of York (UK)
Dr. Malyka Galay Burgos, ECETOC (BE)
Prof. Pavel Kabat, Wageningen University and Research Centre (NL)
Dr. Pasquale Steduto, Food & Agriculture Organization - FAO (IT) - Observer
Dr. David Wiberg, International Institute for applied Systems Analysis - IIASA (AT)
Expert from consultancy
Dr. John Fawell (UK)
Publications:
ILSI Europe Expert Group on Water Safety. Considering Water Quality for Use in the Food Industry. ILSI Europe Report Series 2008:1-44.
D. Schowanek, H. David et al. Probabilistic Risk Assessment for Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) in Sewage Sludge Used on Agricultural Soil. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 2007;49:245-259.
D. Schowanek, R. Carr, et al. A Risk-Based Methodology for Deriving Quality Standards for Organic Contaminants in Sewage Sludge for Use in Agriculture – conceptual Framework. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 2004;40(3):227-251.
M. Hofer and L. Shuker. Assessing Health Risks from Environmental Exposure to Chemicals: The Example of Drinking Water. ILSI Europe Report Series 2002:1-23.
P. Calow et al., Guest Editors. Assessing and Controlling Industrial Impacts on the Aquatic Environment (with Reference to Food Processing). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2001;50(2):87-159. (Proceedings)
J. Solbé. Assessing and Controlling Industrial Impacts on the Aquatic Environment with Reference to Food Processing. ILSI Europe Report Series 2001:1-28. (Report)
D. Benford. Principles of Risk Assessment of Food and Drinking Water Related to Human Health. ILSI Europe Concise Monograph Series 2001:1-34.
G. Eisenbrand et al., Guest Editors. Assessing Health Risks from Environmental Exposure to Chemicals: the Example of Drinking Water. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2000;38(1):1-110. (Proceedings)
To download the poster of the task force, click here.
For more information contact: info@ilsieurope.be