In recent years, there has been a change in the main regulations governing the solvency of the world's main insurance markets. Sustainability is an issue that is becoming increasingly important among to the various stakeholders in the insurance industry. It is a complex concept that has many different dimensions that can be included in these regulations, allowing for a more sustainable solvency. The paper uses a qualitative model previously designed and tested in the literature to analyse the solvency regulations of the European Union, United States of America, China, Australia, Brazil and South Africa and determine their level of convergence. It also links the criteria set out in these models to the dimensions of sustainability in order to determine the degree of sustainability of solvency systems and the questions that regulators will need to consider in the near future in order to achieve more sustainable solvency.
Avances en la política de control del riesgo químico. Deficiencias observadas en el manejo, eliminación y recirculación de los productos químicos. Por esta razón, los principales retos para la investigación científica, la sanidad ambiental, la conservación de la naturaleza y la gestión medioambiental, están íntimamente relacionados con el desarrollo de sistemas de valoración del impacto en el medio ambiente y en la salud, así como técnicas de prevención y eliminación de la contaminación vertida al medio acuático y terrestre. ; Advances on the politics of chemical risk control. Observed deficiencies on the management, elimination and recirculation of chemical products. Therefore, some of the main challenges for the scientific research, environmental health, nature preservation and the environmental management are closely related to the development of validation system of the impact on the environment and on health as well as prevention and elimination techniques of the pollution dumped of the aquatic and terrestrial environment.
In: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety: EES ; official journal of the International Society of Ecotoxicology and Environmental safety, Band 263, S. 115359
While it has been well evidenced that plant domestication affects the structure of the root-associated microbiome, there is a poor understanding of how domestication‐mediated differences between rhizosphere microorganisms functionally affect microbial ecosystem services. In this study, we explore how domestication influenced functional assembly patterns of bacterial communities in the root‐associated soil of 27 tomato accessions through a transect of evolution, from plant ancestors to landraces to modern cultivars. Based on molecular analysis, functional profiles were predicted and co‐occurrence networks were constructed based on the identification of co‐presences of functional units in the tomato root‐associated microbiome. The results revealed differences in eight metabolic pathway categories and highlighted the influence of the host genotype on the potential functions of soil bacterial communities. In general, wild tomatoes differed from modern cul-tivars and tomato landraces which showed similar values, although all ancestral functional characteristics have been conserved across time. We also found that certain functional groups tended to be more evolutionarily conserved in bacterial communities associated with tomato landraces than those of modern varieties. We hypothesize that the capacity of soil bacteria to provide ecosystem services is affected by agronomic practices linked to the domestication process, particularly those related to the preservation of soil organic matter. ; This research has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under Grant agreement No 765290.
10 Pág. ; Aim of study: To evaluate the consequences for pork quality traits of replacing soybean meal with Narbon vetch in pig diets. Area of study: Castilla-Leon, Spain. Material and methods: 48 Duroc × Iberian barrows were fed diets with 0% (V0), 5% (V5), 10% (V10) and 20% (V20) inclusion of Narbon vetch. Pork quality traits investigated were 1) intramuscular fat, protein and moisture content of fresh loin, 2) fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat, and 3) sensory attributes (Triangle test and a Simple Difference Test with a non-trained taste panel) of cured loin. Main results: Inclusion of Narbon vetch in the diet showed no significant effect on intramuscular fat, protein and moisture in fresh loin samples. Stearic acid was higher in subcutaneous fat of V5 than in V0 and V10 (p < 0.05), and oleic acid was higher in V10 than in V0, V5 and V20 (p < 0.05); no other differences in fatty acid composition were observed. Taste panelists tended to be able to distinguish V10 from V0 cured loins (p < 0.10), and were able to distinguish V20 from V0 loins (p < 0.05), in particular due to a perceived difference in taste, texture and marbling. No differences in intensity of the texture, marbling, aroma and color of cured loins were found between V0 and V5. Research highlights: Inclusion of Narbon vetch in pig diets did not significantly affect fresh loin composition or fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat. Consumers perceived a difference in sensory characteristics of cured loin with replacement of soybean meal with Narbon Vetch, but they did not characterize this as more favorable. ; SusAn ERA‐Net project "Sustainability of pig production through improved feed efficiency", an ERA‐Net cofunded under European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme Project AGL2016‐75942‐R ; Peer reviewed
Abstract This document provides the conclusions of the pest survey card that was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M‐2020‐0114) at the request of the European Commission. The full pest survey card for Acrobasis pirivorella is published and available online in the EFSA Pest Survey Card gallery at the following link and will be updated whenever new information becomes available: https://efsa.europa.eu/plants/planthealth/monitoring/surveillance/acrobasis-pirivorella
Abstract This technical report was prepared in the context of the EFSA mandate on plant pest surveillance (M‐2020‐0114) at the request of the European Commission. Its purpose is to support Member States in planning and preparing crop‐based surveys of Union quarantine pests in line with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. In particular, the report includes a list of species reported as hosts of the regulated pests targeted by the call: GP/EFSA/PLANTS/2022/05 – 'Development of crop‐based survey tools for plant pests of fruit trees, conifers, and palms and ornamentals in the EU' – Lot 1. Additionally, a classification of their occurrence in the EU is provided. The report provides basic information regarding the cultivation in the EU of 19 species of fruit trees widely cultivated in the EU, hosting at least one pest of the call in the families of the Ebenaceae, i.e. persimmon (Diospyros kaki L. f.); Ericaceae, i.e. bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), high‐bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum); Lythraceae, i.e. pomegranate (Punica granatum L.); Moraceae, i.e. silkworm mulberry (Morus alba), fig (Ficus carica L.); Rosaceae, i.e. apple (Malus domestica Borkh.), pear (Pyrus communis L.), quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.), plum (Prunus domestica), almond (Prunus dulcis Miller D.A. Webb.), apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch), sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.), loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.); Rutaceae, i.e. bitter orange (Citrus × aurantium L.); and Vitaceae, i.e. grape (Vitis vinifera). For the selection of cultivated fruit‐tree species, information on the main phenological stages, management practices, agroecosystems, climate suitability and distribution, regulatory requirements and trade of key commodities are provided.
The European Commission requested EFSA Panel on Plant Health to evaluate a dossier from Israel in which the application of the systems approach to mitigate the risk of entry of Thaumatotibia leucotreta to the EU when trading citrus fruits is described. After collecting additional evidence from the Plant Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS) of Israel, and reviewing the published literature, the Panel performed an assessment on the likelihood of pest freedom for T. leucotreta on citrus fruits at the point of entry in the EU considering the Israelian systems approach. An expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom following the evaluation of the risk mitigation measures on T. leucotreta, including any uncertainties. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty that between 9,863 and 10,000 citrus fruits per 10,000 will be free from this pest. The Panel also evaluated each risk mitigation measure in the systems approach and identified any weaknesses associated with them. Specific actions are identified that could increase the efficacy of the systems approach.
The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. Momordica fruits originating from countries where Thrips palmi is known to occur qualify as high risk plants. This Scientific Opinion covers the introduction risk for T. palmi posed by fruits of Momordica charantia L. imported from Honduras, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the National Service of Agrifood Health and Safety (SENASA) of Honduras. The risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Honduras were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. An expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the potential pest pressure in the field, the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest in the field and in the packinghouse, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. For T. palmi on M. charantia fruits from Honduras, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom following the evaluation of the risk mitigation measures acting on T. palmi, including any uncertainties. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty that between 9,406 and 10,000 M. charantia fruits per 10,000 will be free from T. palmi.
The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. Momordica fruits originating from countries where Thrips palmi is known to occur qualify as high risk plants. This Scientific Opinion covers the introduction risk for T. palmi posed by fruits of Momordica charantia L. imported from Mexico, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the National Service of Health, Safety and Agrifood Quality (Senasica) of Mexico. The risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Mexico were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. An expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the potential pest pressure in the field, the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest in the field and in the packinghouse, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. For T. palmi on M. charantia fruits from Mexico, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom following the evaluation of the risk mitigation measures acting on T. palmi, including any uncertainties. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated, with 95% certainty that between 9,492 and 10,000 M. charantia fruits per 10,000 will be free from T. palmi.
The EFSA Panel on Plant Health was requested to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in the relevant Implementing Acts as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects' [Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 establishing a provisional list of high risk plants, plant products or other objects, within the meaning of Article 42 of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031]. The current Scientific Opinion covers all plant health risks posed by bare rooted plants for planting of Robinia pseudoacacia (1 year old with a stem diameter of less than 2.5 cm) imported from Israel, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by Israel by 26 December 2019. The relevance of an EU-quarantine pest for this opinion was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Israel; (ii) R. pseudoacacia is a host of the pest, and (iii) the pest can be associated with the commodity. The relevance of this opinion for other non EU-regulated pests was based on evidence that: (i) the pest is present in Israel (ii) the pest is absent in the EU; (iii) R. pseudoacacia is a host of the pest; (iv) the pest can be associated with the commodity and (v) the pest may have an impact and can pose a potential risk for the EU territory. Two pests (one insect and one fungus, Euwallacea fornicatus and Fusarium euwallaceae) that fulfilled all criteria were selected for further evaluation. For the two selected pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from Israel were evaluated. Limiting factors in the effectiveness of the measures were documented. For the selected pests an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom taking into consideration the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment, therefore the Panel is 95% sure that 9,950 or more plants per 10,000 will be free from these two pests.
Abstract Following the commodity risk assessment of Prunus persica and P. dulcis plants for planting from Türkiye, in which Lepidosaphes pistaciae (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), the pistachio oyster scale or yellow pistachio scale, was identified as a pest of possible concern, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation for the territory of the European Union (EU). L. pistaciae is reported as a polyphagous pest which, however, mainly affects plants of the genus Pistacia. Originating from Asia, it is widely distributed in pistachio producing countries of Central, South and West Asia. Within the EU, the pest has been reported from Cyprus and Greece. However, its precise distribution within Cyprus and Greece is unknown. It completes two generations per year and overwinters as a fully developed adult female. The eggs are hidden under the female's body and hatch around April. First‐instar nymphs, crawlers, move on host plants for a short period of time before becoming permanently settled and initiating feeding, mainly on leaves but also on branches and fruits. Young females appear in early June and mature ones in late June. Plants for planting and fruits provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Climate suitability suggests that it could further establish in large parts of the EU. In Iran, L. pistaciae is considered a devastating pest for cultivated pistachio. L. pistaciae was detected in Greece over 30 years ago with small population densities and without any records of damage. It was also found in Cyprus in 1967 and nowadays is not considered a major pest. Its ability to cause an impact in the EU is uncertain considering the lack of evidence on impact in Cyprus and Greece. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry. While the fulfilment of the criterion on having an economic or environmental impact in the EU is associated with a key uncertainty, all the other criteria assessed by EFSA for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met.