GovWire

Webinar Information

This webinar will introduce official methods employed, in the UK and EU, to screen for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in consignments of rice and rice products originating from China. The background to this issue will be presented, along with the UK/EU legislation relevant to the regulation of GMOs and best practice guidance on the implementation of official methods of analysis will be provided. Advice on experimental design, an explanation of the interpretation of results and information on recognised sources of appropriate reference materials will also be offered. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to submit relevant questions to a panel of experts.

About the speakers

Timothy Wilkes

Dr Wilkes has over 20 years experience in the field of genetic research in academic and industrial sectors. He has extensive knowledge and expertise in the use of microarrays and qPCR technology for applications ranging from cancer diagnostics and functional gene analysis to food authenticity.

Paul Hancock

Paul Hancock is Head of the Office of the Government Chemist, Referee Analyst and Nominated Officer. Paul has 26 years experience of enforcement analytical chemistry, including 11 years experience as a public and agriculture analyst and 8 years as head of an official control laboratory. His technical areas of expertise include high level interpretative skills in food safety and standards, general analytical chemistry and associated issues; working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 (UKAS) quality issues, ISO 9000 lead auditor qualified, and he is a specialist in food law application (labelling, allergens, health claims, composition, additives, GMOs, contaminants, consumer complaints).

Claire Bushell

Claire Bushell has been working in the field of molecular-based food authenticity testing for over 10 years. She specialises in the technical delivery of projects relating to GMO detection in food and feed using qPCR technology, as part of the National Reference Laboratory for GMOs.

Miguel Perdiguero

Miguel Perdiguero has over 5 years experience in the fields of microbiology and molecular biology focused on the meat speciation and the food safety and authenticity arena. Currently actively involved in referee case testing for GMOs in rice and rice products originating from China. He is also an active member of the team dealing with the authorisation of GMOs in Great Britain under the direction of Dr Malcolm Burns.

Selvarani Elahi MBE

Selvarani Elahi is the Deputy Government Chemist at LGC and the Executive Director of the Food Authenticity Network. Selvarani has over 25 years experience in the analysis of food and agriculture samples working across a variety of policy areas, with government departments and different stakeholder groups, to improve standards in measurement science. She worked with Defra, FSA & FSS to set-up the Joint Knowledge Transfer Framework for Food Standards and Food Safety Analysis in 2017.

Event agenda

• Introduction by Selvarani Elahi
• Screening for GMOs in consignments of rice and rice products originating from China by Timothy Wilkes
• Q&A Session chaired by Selvarani Elahi

Registration