Risk assessment

Evira’s risk assessment work is focused on the safety of foodstuffs derived from animals and plants, and on the scientific risk assessment of transmittable animal and plant diseases. In risk assessment, the nature of the hazard, methods and paths of transmission as well as potential consequences and the likelihood of the hazard are assessed.

The Risk Assessment Unit produces scientific risk assessments for international and domestic use on field of the activity of the authority with the aim of assessing economical consequences of animal and plant diseases, plant protection products ant other pesticides and of foodstuffs.

The aim of risk assessment is to support to authorities in making decisions on risk management. Risk management evaluates and applies methods for risk mitigation and for directing of control measures. Risk assessment should be independent of risk management. An interdisciplinary co-operation both within Evira and with organisations outside Evira is an essential part of risk assessment.

Structure of risk analysis

Risk analysis is a three-part process consisting of risk assessment, risk management and risk communication.