EFSA scientific workshop on the revision of a guidance document on assessment of pesticide risks for birds and mammals

On 8-11 May 2007, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) organised a scientific workshop on the revision of a key guidance document on the assessment of pesticide risks for birds and mammals. The ‘Use of Focal Species and Ecological Parameters in Risk Assessment Refinement’ workshop, held in Valencia, Spain, brought together over 50 participants including representatives of 22 European Union Member States, industry and academia. Many of the participants were risk assessors or risk managers with an in-depth knowledge of the Guidance Document which they use in their daily work.  EFSA was able to update participants on the progress of work to date and discussions included methodologies for conducting first tier and refined risk assessments and demonstrations of available methods for collecting ecological parameter data.