The framework for action of the Cross-agency One Health Task Force.

The Cross-agency One Health Task Force, established by five EU agencies (ECDC, ECHA, EEA, EFSA and EMA), has released its Framework for Action, aimed at operationalising the One Health approach across various EU regulatory science sectors. This initiative, originating from the 2022 ONE Conference, addresses the integration of human, animal, plant, and environmental health inspired by the European Green Deal. The framework outlines five strategic objectives: enhancing strategic coordination, promoting research, strengthening capacity building, fostering communication and partnerships, as well as joint activities.

HBM4EU results support the Chemicals' Strategy for Sustainability and the Zero-Pollution Action Plan.

One of the major goals of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) was to bridge the gap between science and policy by consulting both policy makers and national scientists and generating evidence of the actual exposure of residents to chemicals and whether that exposure would be suggest a potential health risk. Residents' perspectives on chemical exposure and risk were also investigated. HBM4EU's research was designed to answer specific short-term and long-term policy questions at national and European levels, and for its results to directly support regulatory action on chemicals.

Comprehensive environmental review following the pork PCB/dioxin contamination incident in Ireland.

In December 2008 the Irish Government made a decision to recall all Irish pork and bacon products from pigs slaughtered in Ireland since September 1 2008 as a result of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination identified during routine monitoring of Irish pork products. 30000 tonnes of returned product were subsequently destroyed, as well as 170000 pigs and 5700 cattle, with a cost to date to the Irish exchequer in excess of €120 million, as well as reputational damage to the Irish agriculture and food industries. The source of the contamination was traced to an animal feed production facility which was using the hot gases from the combustion of contaminated fuel oil to dry animal feed.