Mapping Interactions Within EU Food and Feed Risk Analysis: A Comparative Study of Risk Assessors and Risk Managers

Considering prominent calls for various forms of cooperation, coordination, and collaboration within risk analysis processes, this empirical research study aims to delineate current forms of interaction between risk assessors and risk managers. Utilizing an online survey, it analyses responses from 95 professionals working in the field of food and feed risk analysis across at least 23 EU countries and determines interaction scores based on the degree of cooperation, coordination, and collaboration. The scores show that current interaction dominantly aligns with cooperation across multiple dimensions. However, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) reveals significant perceptual differences between risk assessors and managers regarding their mutual interaction. In particular, risk assessors perceive their interaction with risk management more cooperative and risk managers perceive their interaction with risk assessment more collaborative. A notable difference was also observed in the interaction scores for routine risk analysis versus rapid risk analysis. In addition, clustering analysis and regression analysis was conducted to examine the relation and impact of different interaction dimensions on perceived quality of risk analysis. While the results do not support uniform calls for more collaboration, they show positive effects of open and frequent communication on the perceived quality of risk analysis. These results suggest working towards more individualized and fit-for-purpose interactions as well as to extend practitioner-oriented dialogue on desired modes of interactions, to enhance mutual understanding in their collective risk analysis.