1. EFSA Activities in the area of Animal Health Hans Verhagen
Head of Risk Assessment and Scientific Assistance
Tallinn, 2 October 2017

2. EFSA organisational structure

3. Risk Assessment and Scientific Assistance Department
RASA
Biological Hazards and Contaminants
Scientific Committee and Emerging Risks
Assessment and Methodological Support
Animal and Plant Health
Evidence Management

4. ALPHA Unit – Animal & Plant Health
Risk assessment in animal health & welfare, plant health, and the related environmental risks
Support to AHAW and PLH Panels:
Perform hazard monitoring, contribute to monitoring of risks
Harmonise data collection in the above fields
Establish, collaborate with the AHAW and PLH Scientific Networks of the MS

5. Animal Health Current Activities
ASF – AFRICAN SWINE FEVER
LSD – LUMPY SKIN DISEASE
AI – AVIAN INFLUENZA

6. scientific Opinions on ASF
EFSA has issued 3 scientific opinions on ASF (2010, 2014 and 2015)
In 2015, EFSA recommended a combination of different management measures to reduce the spread of the disease among wild boar.
23-25 November – EFSA (Parma)- Workshop on “Harmonisation of data collection on African swine fever (ASF) virus in Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and Poland”
29-30 June 2016 – Riga- Workshop on “Descriptive epidemiological analysis and risk-factors analysis of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in the Baltic States and Poland”
Involvement of MS representatives in the working group
Since 2010, EFSA has published three scientific opinions and three scientific reports.
ASF SO 2015 assessed the options for wild boar wild boar population management
Hunting and trapping have never achieved a drastic reduction
Intensive hunting pressure leads to dispersal of wild boar, thereby increasing the risk of spread.
Targeted increased hunting of females of all age groups has been shown l to reduce wild boar populations
In combination with carcass removal and ban of artificial feeding it can decrease the risk of ASF spread
By initiative of the Baltic states in 2015 EFSA launched ASF project to support MS in epidemiological analysis of ASF
In the framework of this project a workshop on epidemiological analysis of ASF held in Riga in June 2016
Involvement of experts from the MSs is one of the main principles of EFSA

7. Technical assistance to the Commission (Article 31, (EC) 178/2002)
1st scientific report
Technical assistance to the Commission (Article 31, (EC) 178/2002)
Two scientific reports (Mar 2017 and Nov 2017)
Update the epidemiological analysis of African swine fever in the EU
Review the management options for wild boar identified in the EFSA scientific opinion of June 2015
This analysis can be used by Member States and the European Commission to fine-tune their control measures
Harmonised data model agreed at a workshop in November 2015
EFSA currently assists Member States affected by ASF in the collection, sharing and analysis of relevant epidemiological data in order to review the management options for wild boar
EFSA is carrying out a descriptive epidemiological analysis, analysis of the risk factors involved in the occurrence, spread and persistence of the ASF virus in the wild boar population and in the domestic-wildlife interface, as well as a review of the management options of the wild boar population
These two reports are aimed at reviewing control strategy implemented by the ASF affected MS
For this purpose EFSA is using data on routine laboratory tests for ASF collected in a harmonized way

8. Estonia is most collaborative ms
Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory
Only for Estonia, EFSA was able to perform a risk factor analysis based on high quality data
The data model collects individual sample data using controlled terminology and coding systems, and includes many variables, including for instance, the rate of decomposition of carcass if the animal was found dead
The new DB is designed to collect the data which are not foreseen by legislations ADNS
The data model implies controlled terminology, specific codes and includes many epidemiologically important, including, for instance, the rate of decomposition of carcass if the animal was found dead
Estonian reference laboratory on ASF, Estonian university of life science and Estonian environment agency are providing ASF related data directly to EFSA using EFSAS Data collection Framework
EFSA is also collecting data on wild boar (Environment Agency) and domestic pig distributions, and other ASF related data (University of life science)
After validation these data can be used for different types of analysis: descriptive or analytical
Estonian ASF data base submitted to EFSA is the most complete and high quality in term of spatial and temporal resolutions
Most of analyses in the Report II are based on Estonian data

9. Scientific reports on asf (report I, Mar 2017)
ASF has the spatio-temporal pattern of a small-scale epidemic
The average spatial spread of the disease in wild boar subpopulations in Latvia and Estonia is approximately 2 km/month
- the number of settlements - the number of pig farms
- wild boar density are proportionally related to the likelihood of notifying ASF cases
Unchanged epidemiological and immunological situation
In March 2017 EFSA published a first scientific report on ASF based on the data collected by the ASF affected MSs.
This report analysed the temporal and spatial patterns of ASF in wild and boar and domestic pigs, and assessed the potential risk factors involved in the occurrence of the ASF virus (ASFV) in the wild boar population.
Epidemiological analysis carried out n 2016 showed that ASF spreads slowly, average spread in Estonia 2 km/month
The risk factor analysis shows an association between the number of settlements and pig farms, forest coverage, number of roads and the notification of ASF in wild boar in 2016;
According to the risk factor analysis the number of human settlements is associated with ASF notification in wild boar in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 2015 and 2016;
It was also shown that the likelihood of notifying ASF is proportionally related to the wild boar density.
Since the beginning of the epidemic, the apparent antibody prevalence in hunted wild boar has always been lower than the apparent virus prevalence in hunted wild boar, indicating an unchanged epidemiological/immunological situation.
Given existing trends in apparent virus prevalence and seroprevalence, there is a need to maintain high biosecurity standards on pig farms and adjust control measures in the backyard sector and at hunting grounds level.

10. 2nd workshop on epidemiological analysis for the MS in October 2017
Next steps
2nd workshop on epidemiological analysis for the MS in October 2017
In cooperation with Member States, EFSA will publish a 2nd report in November 2017 which will provide updated epidemiological analysis and a review of management options for wild boar

11. Asf workshop 11-12 october parma
On October 2017 EFSA is holding a workshop on the epidemiological analysis of ASF in the EU
What did we learn from ASF since its entry into Europe and what are the remaining scientific questions?
How can we further develop science-based advice to risk managers?
On 10/11 October 2017 EFSA is organising a workshop on the epidemiological analysis of ASF in the EU
Around 30 participants from EU and third countries have been invited (EE, LV, LT, PL, CZ, RO, MO, HU, SK, FAO, OIE, EC, FLI, ASF EURL, CISA-INIA, IZS…)
Outcomes from the analyses and web-tools developed by EFSA will be presented.
Other main topics of this workshop are:
- What did we learn from ASF since its entry into Europe and what are the remaining scientific questions?
How can we further develop science-based advice to risk managers?

12. Scientific reports on ASF (Report II, Nov 2017)
Update descriptive epidemiological analysis
Update risk factors analysis involved in the occurrence, spread and persistence of the ASF virus in the wild boar population and in the domestic/wildlife interface
Review the management options for wild boar identified in the EFSA scientific opinion of June 2015
November 2017
In cooperation with Member States and in collaboration with a group of leading EU epidemiologists (including the affected MS) EFSA is currently working on the second scientific report on ASF requested by the EC
This report includes updated descriptive epidemiological and risk factors analyses (including newly affected countries) and assessment of effectiveness of wild boar management in affected countries by mathematical modelling.
It will be issued in November 2017

13. Horizontal work on Bee Health at EFSA
A multidisciplinary EFSA team to adress multiple stressors in bees
>> Excessive bee mortalities and honey bee colony weakening can lead to a pollination crisis and put the EU beekeeping/farming sectors in difficulty. The origin of those losses reported worldwide are multifactorial;
EFSA set up a multidisciplinary task force across EFSA’s departments/units to adress the issue of multiple stressors in bees, starting with honey bee colonies (remark: IN THE FUTURE, ENLARGING TO ALL BEES with the BEE PARTNERSHIP and SCIENTIFIC OPINION; the strategy here was to start where data/knowledge is higher: honey bees!)

14. Methodological approach:
MUST –B Project
“EU efforts toward the development of a holistic approach for the risk assessment of multiple stressors in bees”
Methodological approach:
Gather high quality data (harmonised and standardised) for evidence- based RA of bee health
Develop tools & methodologies for RA of multiple stressors in bees
Engage stakeholders for harmonised data collection and sharing efforts in EU on bee health: bee partnership
In 2015 and for a duration of 5 years, EFSA initiated a large project called MUST-B, standing for “EU efforts toward the development of a holistic approach for the risk assessment of multiple stressors in bees”
Overall the project has the following methodological approach:
Gather robust data for evidence-based risk assessments in bee health
Develop tools and methodoolgies for the RA of multiple stressors in bees
Engage stakeholders to increase harmonised data collection efforts and promote collaborations for data sharing and this lies with the initiative of the EU BEE PARTNERSHIP (remark: PLEASE ADVRTISE IT AS WE NEED MORE APPLICANTS; deadline for applications should be extended – see last slide)

15. BEE HEALTH progress on data needs & methodologies for holistic RA
Several WGs to define data/evidence needs and methodologies:
technical reports for specifications on data needs
scientific opinion on methodology to assess bee health status
scientific opinion on methodology to assess multiple stressors in bees (to be initiated in 2019)
Outsourcing activities to increase evidence:
DEB-TOX models to assess chemical mixtures in bees
APIS-RAM model to assess multiple stressors in bees at landscape level
Standardised field data collection under different EU landscapes and climatic zones to calibrate and verify the model for its later use in RA (pesticides in combination with other stressors/factors)
Since the project started, significant progress has been made:
3 working groups of experts from the SCER, ALPHA and PRAS Units defined data needs and methodologies to assess bee health status and multiple stressors in bees
The above work led to several outsourcing activities:
some activities are finalised like the development of DEB-TOX models (Dynamic Energy Budget, based on TK/TD principles) to assess exposure to chemical binary mixtures in different types of bees (honey bee, bumble bee and solitary bees)
Some are still ongoing like the development of a mechanistic model (APIS-RAM) to assess multiple stressors in bees in their environment
Some are not yet started on field data collection from different representative EU zones to calibrate and verify the model (remark: YOU CAN ALSO ADERVTISE IT AS THE CALL IS STILL OPEN until end October)

16. BEE HEALTH progress on knoweldge sharing and stakeholders engagement
Dedicated microsite and news stories to communicate on EFSA’s work to stakeholders
Workshops to ensure knowledge transfer between EFSA and stakeholders (e.g. holistic RA approach, health status assessment, knowledge gaps and research priorities in bee health and sustainable pollination)
Colloquium with European Parliament at Bee Week Event to engage stakeholders on harmonised data collection and sharing (June 2017)
>> The work of MUST-B has a strong networking component to ensure knowledge sharing and stakeholders engagement because the issue needs the involvement of all!
To ensure knowledge sharing, EFSA set up a dedicated microsite to communicate on its progress made (PEOPLE CAN UPLOAD FROM THIS SITE ALL REPORTS PUBLISHED BY EFSA ON BEE HEALTH)
EFSA also organised several workshops over the last few years to exchange with all stakeholders on various bee health issues such as multiple stressors and the need for more holistic approach, on how to assess health status in the field and on knowledge gaps and research priorities in bee health and sustainable pollination (AGAIN THEY CAN FIND THE INFO ON MICROSITE)
Last but not least, EFSA in collaboration with COPA-COGECA, BEELIFE, ECPA and EPBA (EU Professional Beekeeping Association) organised a scientific colloquium at the occasion of the EP Bee Week Event that takes place every year in June in Brussels to discuss with stakeholders on the needs and benefits of harmonised data collection and data sharing; all agreed on the need to set up a EU Bee Partnership to enhance this process (harmonised data collection and data sharing in EU)

17. Next step: Bee Partnership
Therefore, the next step is to set up this EU Bee partnership facilitated by EFSA.
This partnership relies on the collection and sharing of DATA (RIGHT COLUMN of CELLS) by all involved STAKEHOLDERS (LEFT COLUMN of CELLS)
The DATA we want to collect and share requires good access, accurate tools, standardised repositories and analytical tools such as modelling that we develop at efsa
The different STAKEHOLDERS invovled in bee health are beekeepers, farmers, industry, scientists but also from the public at large
The success and sustainability of such a partnership rely on the identification of each stakeholders specific needs and mutual benefits!

18. Stakeholder discussion group
EFSA website for the partnership open until 2 October (DL TO BE EXTENDED SO THEY SHOULD APPLY IF INTERESTED)

19. For further information check the following
EFSA microsite on bees
Video on youtube
Video on the MUST-B project
EFSA bee Microsite to be kept informed on the progress of the project