IRAC Annual Plan (FY2001)

This draft annual plan was prepared by technical representatives of the interagency Risk Assessment Consortium (RAC) in response to comments raised at the March , 2000 quarterly RAC meeting. Major differences between the new plan and 1999-2000 plan are primarily in the organization of the plan to more closely follow the goals of the RAC that are stated in our Charter document. As most projects are ongoing, there is considerable duplication between 1999-2000 and 2000-2001.

1. Reduce the uncertainties inherent in risk assessment by identifying data gaps and critical research needs.

The RAC has identified understanding dose-response relationships and preparing a comparative risk ranking as two important goals that would improve the quality and reduce the uncertainty of risk assessments. Previous RAC accomplishments in this area include conducting a workshop to identify data gaps in the area of dose-response modeling, initiating an FDA effort to fund three new dose-response studies for microbiological organisms, initiating a collaborative intensive outbreak investigation with the Chicago Department of Public Health, and proposing a comparative risk assessment proposal in response to request from the President's Food Safety Council.

Specific tasks for 2000-2001 are as follows:

• Organize and sponsor a workshop in September 2000 on the benefits and drawbacks of using multispecies data and human clinical trials to quantitatively describe human dose-response relationships for microorganisms
• Accelerate the development of economic valuation methods for a comparative risk ranking by convening a group of interagency economists to work with the Economic Research Service of USDA on performing economic risk-ranking projects.
• Initiate, guide, and participate in the implementation of the risk-ranking approach selected by the PFSC.

2. Improve risk assessment research by reducing unnecessary research redundancies and encouraging multidisciplinary efforts.

The RAC has encouraged multidisciplinary efforts by providing a forum for interagency communication, reviewing proposed and ongoing research projects, and participating in the development of the Risk Assessment Clearinghouse. Specific goals for 2000-2001 are as follows:

• Participate in the ARS/FSIS/FDA research planning meeting.
• Host a symposium at the Society for Risk Analysis meeting in December 2000 to publicize the activities of the RAC and the Risk Assessment Clearinghouse and to engage more risk analysts in providing feedback and input to the RAC.
• Conduct a review of risk assessments for foodborne pathogens that have been completed by member agencies, focusing on transparency, clarity, and accuracy. Consider whether there is consistency between frameworks, conclusions, and recommendations. Summarize lessons learned from past and ongoing experiences.
• Establish a workgroup to consider the following issues: What problems limit the usefulness of risk assessments? How should future risk assessments be written so that they are more useful to risk managers and government agencies?
• Cooperation with JIFSR consistent with the RAC Charter [details to be added]

3. Identify and catalogue risk assessment methods, models, and data sets, and provide broad access to these materials through the establishment of a Risk Assessment Clearinghouse.

Through its work with the Clearinghouse, the RAC is helping to increase the public's access to food safety information and the food safety community's access to research data and materials. The RAC will continue to work with the Clearinghouse to publicize and expand Clearinghouse activities. Specific goals include:

• Post completed risk assessments and the databases used to develop them on the Internet Clearinghouse site.
• Compile, analyze, and distribute feedback on posted risk assessments.
• Publicize the clearinghouse at scientific meetings.
• Assist in fulfilling risk management and risk communication objectives of the clearinghouse.
• Make resources available as applicable to WHO/FAO and Codex food hygiene delegation.

4. Provide advice and serve as a technical resource for member agencies.

Since the RAC membership extends across all governmental agencies that are involved in food safety risk analysis, we are in an ideal position to ensure that government agencies remain informed about each other's risk assessment activities and expertise. The RAC will continue to:

• Ensure that member agencies are apprised of other agencies' risk assessment activities.
• Serve as a review resource for governmental risk assessments.