The RSA of CONICET strengthens ties with key organizations in risk management regarding food security

In a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries of the Nation, and the National Service of Health and Quality of Agro-Food, the Network presented its objectives, structure, actions, and scientific tools aimed at contributing to topics of interest in the sector.

Meeting with representatives of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries of the Nation and the National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality. Photo: Courtesy of SAGyP / SENASA

The Food Security Network of the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (RSA-CONICET), through its director and researcher of the Council, Gerardo Leotta, presented in strategic meetings with the Ministry of Health, the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries of the Nation (SAGyP), and the National Service of Health and Quality of Agro-Food (SENASA), the objectives, structure, actions, scientific tools, and also the guidelines for work and interaction with various institutions that manage risks related to food security of the Network.

Among the actions that RSA-CONICET can contribute to collaborative work is the preparation of scientifically based reports with a holistic approach to the food chain—from farm to plate—and the formation of interdisciplinary teams of experts on topics of interest. Additionally, the three organizations were invited to be part of the Interinstitutional Linkage Committee of the Network, thus strengthening joint work in the field of food security.

Since its creation in 2015, the RSA-CONICET has received more than 50% of its requests from SAGyP and SENASA. Among the topics addressed, issues related to food quality stand out, including: food irradiation, antimicrobial resistance, the presence of heavy metals and allergens, and the control of pathogenic microorganisms. Specific inquiries were also included about products such as: stingless bee honey, artisanal cheeses, fish products, and yerba mate. Additionally, some actions aimed at animal health and public health were included, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and the National Plan for Residue Control and Food Hygiene (CREHA).

As a result of the work of the ad-hoc Groups of RSA-CONICET regarding these requests, scientific and technological support was provided for modifications to the Argentine Food Code, Decree 4238/68 (SENASA) and the resolution of complaints from abroad. In the case of the CREHA Plan, the joint work consolidated the design of the risk-based sampling plan for cattle, a highlighted point in audits of demanding markets such as the European Union.

In this context, the Secretary of Health Management, Saúl Flores, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Network: “The intention is to build and set a medium- and long-term agenda. The Network is the focal point in Argentina regarding food safety for Latin America. This collaboration is an additional contribution to defining public policies in the area of food.”

From the SAGyP, agronomist engineer Mercedes Nimo emphasized the contribution of the RSA-CONICET as a “key scientific and technical support for decision-making and for the definition and execution of fundamental public policies in the field.” She also highlighted that, “in response to the various needs of management agencies, the Network provides a quick response by informing the formation of work teams made up of expert professionals from across the country, which guarantees a federal perspective on each situation addressed.”

Present at the meeting were: from the Ministry of Health, the Undersecretary of Planning and Health Programming, Manuela Bulló; the National Director of Comprehensive Approach to Non-Communicable Diseases, Brunilda Casettal; the head of the Food Regulation Department of the National Institute of Food (INAL), Julia Geraci; and the head of the National and International Technical Regulation Service of the same institute, Natalia del Greco. From SAGyP, Patricia Parra, Guadalupe Coverton, and Mariana López participated, and from SENASA, Cristina Poli, Esteban Sampietro, and Iran Soler.

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