Pan-European research challenges in toxicology and epidemiology: twinning for the better

At the Third Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health held in London in June 1999, a document on environment and health research for Europe was discussed and endorsed. This initiative - developed by the European Science Foundation, the European Commission and the WHO European Region - will be one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The programme described in particular an analysis of the more than 80 research recommendations which served as the basis for the high priority research questions presented in London. The need for an integrated multi-disciplinary approach is emphasised. The ultimate aim is to provide risk managers with tools to implement remediation and prevention effectively and efficiently in a prioritised fashion. Related research challenges in toxicology for the new millennium are described.