Our association is only a few months old. However, this short period of time has already been very fruitful by enabling us to reflect on and identify some guidelines and to set in motion a number of projects, which were unveiled at an event in Paris on 18 December.
Lasting between one and two years, the first project unveiled focuses on the control of potentially pandemic respiratory viruses on surfaces and in the air. This programme has clear objectives: the disinfection susceptibility of a range of viruses on surfaces in the air, essentially in the food sector.
The research themes we have chosen also include the control of environmental microbial populations in farm and food ecosystems to enhance animal health and reduce food pathogens.
■ This project – at least 3-year – is also of significant importance because it will enable us to focus on the generation of knowledge relating to the interactions between environmental microbial populations, food pathogens and bio control agents.
■ More generally, the results of this study will make possible to determine future trends in the way these foods are delivered and the very nature of these foods (plant-based or fermented foods).
■ Given the potential wide scoping nature of this project, it will be important to ensure it is centered around a state of the art review related to climate change, food safety risks and pathogens of concern : E-Coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria.
■ And in order to succeed to advocate solutions, we would welcome in-kind supports from members from our association, including support for grant proposals.
In the medium to longer term, we would also like to focus our efforts on water reuse in different industries and other related topics like :
■ Aquaculture (opportunities of water recycling, availability and/or need for detection systems, identification of sustainable solutions to improve water quality)
■ The alternative to chemical disinfection (use of phages, catalysis and antimicrobial surfaces)
■ Biofilms and water trough
■ the use of AI to control water management
So stay tuned !