Considerations fordeveloping countries

Assessing feasibility

Food and AgricultureOrganization of theUnited Nations

Perceptions: new technology

• Recalling Dr Nadon’sPresentation…

Look beyond such perceptions• Consider the potential value of WGS:• Concrete advantages and disadvantages of

implementing WGS at national level• Collaboration is key with multi-disciplinary structures of all stakeholders, including:• Academia/research sector• Private sector• Consumer groups and others

Now you know…• Possible benefits and potential drawbacks of WGS in

food safety management• Real-life case studies where WGS is applied for

regulatory decisions• Next steps:• Disseminate the knowledge to national colleagues• Advocacy and awareness raising for political leaders• Ask the key question:

“Can WGS work in my country to manage food safety issues?”

Feasibility assessment• If your country has limited

capacity and resources, consider conducting feasibility assessment jointly with potential national partners and stakeholders• Such feasibility assessment

includes:1. Priority assessment2. Prerequisite activities and

infrastructure assessment3. Preliminary readiness assessment

1. Priority assessment• First, assess the level of priority for

food safety• Key questions:• Is food safety a high priority in your

country?• What are the impact of food safety on

national health and industry/trade/economy?

• It may be useful to prepare relevant data/evidence to discuss such priorities in sensitizing policy makers

Once a priority is confirmed• Consider if WGS is likely to be useful for

priority pathogens in the country• For example:

• If Cholera is the highest local priority, simple detection may be a higher priority than high-level strain characterization.

• A step-by-step approach might be more appropriate, implementing a conventional detecting system for pathogens while national food control systems are strengthened• After all identified priorities are addressed,

WGS can be considered for the next step

2. Prerequisite activities and infrastructure assessment• If the priority of food safety is confirmed as high and WGS seems to

be one of the options, assess the prerequisites and infrastructure• Assessment elements:

• Political will from national leader(s)• National food safety policy• Functional national food control system• Functional national health surveillance system• Clinical reporting system and relevant database• Functional national food monitoring/inspection system• Epidemiological data repository/database• Good laboratory practice• Sustainable supply of equipment• Consistent source of electorical power• Reliable internet connection to support data transfer• Pool of qualified individuals to perform/interpret WGS

2. Prerequisite activities and infrastructure assessment• If the priority of food safety is confirmed as high and WGS seems to

be one of the options, assess the prerequisites and infrastructure• Assessment elements:

• National food safety policy• Functional and integrated national

food control system• Functional national health

surveillance system• Clinical reporting system and

relevant database• Functional national food

monitoring/inspection system• Epidemiological data

repository/database• Good laboratory practice• Sustainable supply of equipment• Consistent source of electorical

power• Reliable internet connection to

support data transfer• Pool of qualified individuals to

perform/interpret WGS• Political will of policy makers

3. Preliminary readiness assessment• Once priority, prerequisites and

infrastructures are assessed, identify key steps by assessing the readiness in implementing WGS at national level• Key elements:

• Appropriate mechanism/setting for WGS activities• Appropriate placement of WGS activities

and capacity• Mechanisms for information

dissemination at both national and international levels

What if we are not ready?• If a country does not have appropriate capacity or

infrastructure:• Consider if WGS activities can be accomplished through

collaboration with other countries, databases, entities, international organizations or international networks and consortiums.• Consider partnering with several existing

international/regional networks and consortiums and entities, in addition to the United Nations technical agencies such as FAO and WHO.

Results of the feasibility assessment• Developing countries may benefit from communicating the results of the feasibility assessment with international organizations in order to:• Address gaps• Request assistance in capcity development• Develop a tailor-made programme in eventually adopting

WGS for food safety through a step-by-step approach• Benefit from globally shared data

Your country situation?• Consider in the context of your country – is it feasible to

implement WGS for food safety management?• Is a global assistance in conducing feasibility assessment

potentially useful in your country?

• Introducing the panelists:• Mr Bashiru Boi Kikimoto (Veterinary Services Directorate, Ghana)• Ms Sharmila Buldewo (Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food

Security, Mauritius)• Ms Fengqin Li (National Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment,

China)