The New Framework for QSAR Assessment: Advancing Chemical
Hazard Evaluation
In a significant development for chemical hazard assessment, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has introduced an innovative framework that supports the use of quantitative-structure activity relationship (QSAR) studies as alternatives to animal testing. QSARs, known for their ability to provide crucial data on chemicals without involving animals, are gaining increased prominence in regulatory evaluations.
This (Q)SAR Assessment Framework (QAF), developed by an expert group led by ECHA and the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), provides regulators with a structured approach to assess QSAR studies. It is designed to enhance confidence in adopting these innovative methodologies for chemical hazard assessment, ultimately reducing reliance on animal testing.
This (Q)SAR Assessment Framework (QAF), developed by an expert group led by ECHA and the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), provides regulators with a structured approach to assess QSAR studies. It is designed to enhance confidence in adopting these innovative methodologies for chemical hazard assessment, ultimately reducing reliance on animal testing.
The comprehensive framework includes guidance and a checklist for evaluating the accuracy of models, predictions, and results derived from multiple QSAR predictions. Its introduction signifies a significant step forward in terms of clarity, consistency, and transparency in the assessment of QSAR results.
For REACH registrants, this framework is a game-changer, as it will boost confidence in the regulatory acceptance of their QSAR studies. ECHA will continue to use its current assessment methodology for evaluating QSARs under REACH, in line with the principles outlined in the framework.
Do you have data gaps that needs filling?
Fera can help fill your data gaps for Physico-chemical properties, Ecotoxicity, Environmental fate properties and Human Health toxicity endpoints using (Q)SAR models and/or Read-across analysis.
We will identify the model(s) most appropriate for your compound using our expert knowledge and use of a wide range of publicly available models such OECD QSAR Toolbox, VEGA, T.E.S.T., ECOSAR, EPI Suite etc. and commercial models such as Derek NexusTM, using a Weight of Evidence approach where applicable. Predictions will be reported in the required format for acceptance by authorities (QMRF, QPRF and Read-across justification will be provided according to RAAF principles).
Our scientists conduct research and development studies to identify ways to improve crop health, yield, efficiency and value. In addition we offer a suite of resources, testing facilities and expertise to help industry to develop sustainable solutions.
Join us at the ABIM 23 event, which remains the best place to discover and unveil new products, to discuss market opportunities, to present new research and products, to learn about the latest regulatory situation and to liaise with fellow professionals.
We will be exhibiting on stand 53, make sure to join us from the 23rd - 25th October at the Congress Centre Basel, Switzerland.
Selwyn joined the ecotox team in CCSS 10 years ago as Senior Bee Ecotoxicologist and now focuses on pollinator ecotoxicology.
He is responsible for the delivery of pollinator related work and the development and expansion of the business and science capabilities within the team.
He is a seasoned GLP Study Director with hands on experience in the delivery of countless GLP studies run according to internationally recognised methods (e.g. OECD, EPPO & SANTE) including lower tier laboratory testing through to higher tier semi-field and field studies.
In addition to the ‘standard’ tests he regularly designs and runs bespoke studies to meet the specific needs of our customers.
Dr Aoife Dillon joined Fera in 2021 as the Principal Scientist for Crop Protection, having spent 25 years in the AgChem industry (multinationals and SMEs) working to develop, register and promote the adoption of sustainable crop inputs (biopesticides and biostimulants).
Fera is a UK based expert scientific services business delivering world leading support to public and commercial sectors to address the most demanding UN Sustainable Development Goals for benefit of humankind and our planet.
Aoife has managed bio-input R+D programmes across Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia.
Click below to book an meeting with one of our experts at the event.
Biopesticides covers a variety of potential products used as plant protection products (PPP), such as Microbial pesticides consist of a microorganism (bacterium, fungus, virus or protozoan), Semiochemicals and Plant Extracts.
Fera Science is adopting an innovative approach to problem solving from preliminary testing right through to regulatory studies, tailored specifically to your biopesticide.
Our team of experienced scientists will work with you to develop the data you need to register your biopesticide.
Watch our BioPesticide webinar below, where we dicsussed "Current challeneges and future opportunities", including the latest thinking and adoption rates for these technologies from industry experts.
Join us and other global key decision makers from laboratories and food & beverage manufacturers exploring and problem-solving together at the Food Integrity Global 2023 event.
We will be exhibiting on stand 11, make sure to join us on the 17th & 18th Ocotber at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London.
With a background in Analytical Chemistry, Richard brings a unique blend of skills and expertise to his current role as an IT and Data Professional. Working with Food Safety leaders in the industry he works to design, build, and supply the most advanced tools and end-to-end solutions in the market.
With a degree in Veterinary Science from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain and a Masters Degree in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Jordina has worked at Fera since 2013.
Her main role is ensuring the up-to-date status of HorizonScan and providing scientific support to the database, in order to help the food industry keep abreast of any potential threat to their customer wellbeing, loyalty and brand identity.
Leveraging expertise in food safety, quality, sustainability, authenticity, and efficacy to offer a comprehensive range of specialist services to our customers, Dan work's with a diverse portfolio of clients, from medium enterprises to multinational corporations, across various sectors, such as food and beverage, biotechnology, chemical, and environmental sectors.
Click below to book an meeting with one of our experts at the event.
HorizonScan gives you access to real-time data covering over 500 Commodities, 180 countries, 22,000 suppliers and hazards, from food fraud to allergens.
Supplier Check Allowing you to check individual companies for previous commodity-specific references to food integrity issues in their supply chain.
Regular email alert Regular email alerts related specifically to your commodity interests.
Searchable summaries Searchable summary of all problems in individual commodities at an international level.
Data Coverage We track 500+ commodities over 180 countries of origin including tracking 22,000+ suppliers. There are 30+ new entries nearly every day produced from over 180 global data sources.
Detailed breakdowns Detailed breakdowns of fraud and authenticity issues.
Join the ultimate platform for accelerating change towards a more sustainable planet. At RWM, discuss critical topics, discover innovative green technologies and launch solutions to the sector's most pressing challenges.
We are speaking at the event, make sure to join us at 1:15pm on 14th September NEC Birmingham to hear our Principle Scientist (Entomology), Maureen Wakefiled speak about how Fera is working to a sustainbale future in Waste Management.
Meet our Speaker
Maureen Wakefield
Principle Scientist
Maureen is a research entomologist, with over 33 years’ experience, whose current research interests focus around integrated pest management of agriculturally important invertebrate pests and invasive species and the potential use of insects as a novel source of protein for animal feed and other high value materials .
Maureen has spent her career on research to improve understanding of insect behaviour and chemical ecology, in particular with regard to detection and monitoring and the development of novel control methods, including the use of biological control agents such as parasitoids, predators and entomopathogenic fungi. More recently her research has focussed research on insects as a novel source of protein for animal feed and for other high value materials with an emphasis on insect rearing methodologies and nutrition
Insect Bioconversion – Reforming the Food System
After launching our Insect Research Unit in 2022, Fera has been working hard over the last year to develop the R&D services, that will help a variety of industries to evaluate the feasibility and scale up processes by which they can best adopt the technology.
This expert research and development (R&D) facility will support the rapid growth of insect bioconversion to upcycle biomass residues into valorised products.
Fera has led insect bioconversion R&D in the UK and EU for the past 10 years. The laboratory, which is the first of its kind in the UK and one of the first in Europe, enables Fera to help meet the needs of global clients from across the food industry by expanding the scope and scale of its current insect services to ‘twin’ the process of insect bioconversion at factory production scale.
The Groundswell Festival provides a forum for farmers, growers, or anyone interested in food production and the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of regenerative farming systems.
Fera will be exhibiting at Groundswell and taking with us some of our latest original thinking, including LAND360 and Enigma.
Read below to find out more information on our current and latest work as well as the key scientists attending the event.
Fera will be on stand B9.5 in the Pasture Field
LAND360 measures, monitors, and assesses habitats and resources to identify tangible natural capital and biodiversity opportunities.
Combining data and science, LAND360 provides farmers, land owners, and estate managers with the valuable insight to make sustainable land management decisions.
Whether you're seeking comprehensive baseline information on natural capital or the provision of land management options to support future revenue streams, LAND360 has three packages designed to support farmers, landowners, and land agents when making sustainable land use decisions for the future.
LAND360 provides tangible results through the interpretation of data and use of scientific insight.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
From economists to ecologists, agronomists to scientists, Fera has a wealth of independent expertise and experience to inform recommendations for land management decisions.
PROVEN TRACK RECORD
Research teams at Fera have a long track record of supporting government & policy, practitioners and land managers in monitoring & evaluating agri-environment schemes designed to support environmental sustainability.
Defra, in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the Scottish and Welsh Governments has published a new action plan to protect plants from pests and diseases.
The Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain sets out a five-year vision for plant health, consisting of an action plan to secure national biosecurity, protect native species and drive economic growth. It positions the UK as a global leader in plant biosecurity, setting out a vision to create a new biosecurity regime and bio-secure plant supply chain, which will safeguard food security and help mitigate the effects of climate change. It comes following updated figures which show that plants provide an annual value of £15.7 billion to the United Kingdom. The Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain will also set out how enhancements to the UK Plant Health Risk Register, which currently lists 1,200 pests and diseases of potential threat to our biosecurity, will improve our understanding of complex and cumulative risks to plant health
Phil Northing, Fera Science Limited (Fera) Head of Plant Protection Programme said: “Fera is playing a key role in the UK’s biosecurity regime; diagnosing pests and diseases on over 30,000 samples every year and providing advice, training and contingency response across the Defra family. We are also developing innovative solutions to support the Plant Health inspectors at Border Control Posts and providing expertise into the implementation of the Government’s 2025 UK Border strategy.
Raising awareness of the importance of healthy plants and trees is fundamentally important. Fera Plant Health experts regularly support STEM activities and, for example, are a key partner in the Observatree initiative – Defra’s flagship Citizen Science project. We welcome the launch of the Plant Biosecurity strategy for Great Britain and are proud to be a partner and will continue to work closely with all our Plant Health colleagues in developing our services to further strengthen the UKs biosecurity regime."
Lord Benyon, Minister for Biosecurity, said: “This landmark strategy sets out how we will protect Great Britain’s plants, with the government, industry and the public working together to tackle the risks posed by plant pests and diseases. In light of climate change, tackling these varied and mounting risks will be critical to maintaining our food security, as well as facilitating safe trade amidst a challenging economic backdrop.
Today’s announcement demonstrates this Government’s ironclad commitment to protecting and restoring our natural environment for future generations, as we deliver on our tree planting targets and ambition to achieve net zero.”
Nicola Spence, UK Chief Plant Health Officer, said: “Plant pests and diseases know no borders. As the global trade in plants and plant products continues to grow, our precious ecosystems, native species and biosecurity are at risk. The resultant threats posed to our treescapes, food security and the global economy are all too real.
Therefore, I am proud to officially launch the Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain, which will deliver a step change in our plant health protections, actions and behaviours. This will position Great Britain as a global leader in plant biosecurity and set an example for the world to follow."
The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) is a not-for profit, global professional society established in 1979 to provide a forum for individuals and institutions engaged in education, research and development, ecological risk assessment and life-cycle assessment, chemical manufacture and distribution, management and regulation of natural resources, and the study, analysis, and solution of environmental problems.
Fera will be exhibiting at the event in Dublin on stand no.30 to present and discuss with other delegates the work we do and the original thinking we have to bring to the scientific world.
Please contact [email protected] to book a meeting during the conference.
Ecotoxicology
Fera helps commercial companies to accurately assess the toxic impacts of plant-protection products and veterinary medicines on a range of ecosystems and species.
Our regulations-compliant environmental fate studies provide essential data on the fate and behaviour of pesticides and other chemicals in the environment.
Fera offers a wide range of analytical services using sophisticated analytical instrumentation. We have the expertise, personnel and equipment to provide clients with assistance in analytical method development in support of environmental toxicology studies, biotechnology, manufacturing support, compliant sample analysis, formulated product analysis, polymer analysis, analytical method validation to GLP requirements and surfactant analysis.
The IAT was founded in 1950 and is the foremost professional body in the field of Animal Technology.
The Institute of Animal Technology annual conference is being held 21st March-24th March 2022.
This years theme is "Animal Technologists – the key workers for medical research"
Attracting over 400 delegates from the UK, Europe and the USA, delegates can enjoy a varied selection of scientific presentations, workshops and posters as well as the largest trade exhibition of its kind in the UK.
Join us at the event where we will be talking to you about our services and offers to help you enhance your animal health programme with Fera.
Meet our colleagues
Our Head of Animal Health Monitoring, Lorna Cleverley will be on the stand to dicuss your animal health needs and answer any questions you have around our Panoptic Packages and consultancy services at Fera.
Lead Animal Techncian, Jon Lock is an experienced animal technician who has previously worked at Cambridge University and more recently AstraZeneca. Joining us at Fera in 2022, Jon has been to several events with us already sharing his expertise and dicussing Fera's animal health services with the industry.
Our Services
Panoptic Package
Get a full view of your animal health monitoring and facility requirements with Fera’s Panoptic Package.
Perfectly tailored to any facility requirements
UK-based state-of-the-art laboratory with an in-house team of experts
Full suite of customisable programmes and panels
Extensive non-sacrificial panel options
Fully supported implementation, interpretation and next steps
Consultancy Services
We understand that the development of an effective health monitoring strategy and testing process is highly complex, and today’s facility managers and Named Veterinary Surgeons are required to manage an increasingly complex environment.
Fera provide a consultancy service to support you and help mitigate the risk of potential outbreak mid-way through a research project, all whilst maintaining industry best practices.
Fera offers customised microbiological monitoring of multiple species including mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, with zebrafish coming soon!
Animals or individual samples can be submitted to our UK-based health monitoring laboratory for necropsy, bacteriology, parasitology, and molecular investigations. Design your panel or let us do it for you from our list of available assays below to begin your fully customisable service.
Following a period of dormancy between October and March, the newt breeding season starts immediately. Adult great crested newts mature the eggs and sperm they will need for the next year in the previous summer and autumn. Females lay around 250 eggs between March and July wrapping each egg in a folded leaf underwater.
Adult newts may feed from the start of the breeding season in order to replenish reserves and this is further intensified when they come out of the water after breeding. The majority of adults mostly stay within around 250m of the breeding pond. Small numbers of individuals may disperse as colonisers to distances over 1000m.
The great crested newt is widespread throughout England and Wales, but occurs only sparsely in south-west England, mid Wales and Scotland. It is absent from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The total UK population is estimated at around 400,000 animals in 18,000 breeding sites.
