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5F - Probabilistic approaches (MOP/200) Developing a framework for probabilistic assessment of pesticide risks: the EUFRAM project. Hart, Andy1, 1 Central Science Laboratory, York, North Yorkshire, UK ABSTRACT- This presentation describes the EUFRAM project, which aims to assist the implementation in Europe of probabilistic methods for assessing the environmental risks of pesticides. EUFRAM will run for 4 years starting January 2003. It involves 29 partners from government, industry and academia in Europe and North America, and comprises three main components. (1) During years 1 and 2, the partners will produce a draft framework of basic guidance for risk assessors. The topics being addressed include: role and outputs of probabilistic assessments, methods of uncertainty analysis, probabilistic methods for small datasets, how to report and communicate results, how to validate probabilistic methods, how to improve access to existing data, and requirements for probabilistic software and databases. The framework will also include case studies of probabilistic risk assessment, showing how the methods can be applied to assessing impacts of pesticides on terrestrial and aquatic organisms. (2) In years 3 and 4, the draft framework will be subjected to extensive testing and refinement. A series of three workshops will be organised for end-users, who will be encouraged to trial the framework in their own organisations. Feedback from end-users will be used to refine the framework, and it is intended that the final version will be suitable for adoption as standard guidance at the European level. (3) The project is establishing a public network for researchers and end-users to share information about research needs, ongoing projects and future activities related to the continuing development of probabilistic methods for pesticides. Anyone who is interested in probabilistic methods is invited to join the network by visiting the EUFRAM website, www.eufram.com. Key words: risk, probabilistic, assessment, pesticides |
