scholarly journals Bioanalytical screening of low levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in pig meat (pork) for checking compliance with EU maximum and action levels using highly sensitive “third generation” recombinant H4L7.5c2 rat hepatoma cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Haedrich ◽  
Claudia Stumpf ◽  
Michael S. Denison
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Hepatoma Cell ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Commission Regulation ◽  
Pig Meat ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Action Levels ◽  
Rat Hepatoma

Abstract Background Low maximum and action levels set by the European Union for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in pig meat (pork) have led to a demand for reliable and cost-effective bioanalytical screening methods implemented upstream of gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry confirmatory technology, that can detect low levels of contamination in EU-regulated foods with quick turn-around times. Results Based on the Chemically Activated LUciferase gene eXpression (CALUX) bioassay, extraction and clean-up steps were optimized for recovery and reproducibility within working ranges significantly lower than in current bioassays. A highly sensitive “3rd generation” recombinant rat hepatoma cell line (H4L7.5c2) containing 20 dioxin responsive elements was exposed to pork sample extracts, and their PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs levels were evaluated by measuring luciferase activity. The method was validated according to the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/644 of 5 April 2017 with spiking experiments performed selectively for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs and individual calibration for PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs and the calculated sum of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs. The resulting performance parameters met all legal specifications as confirmed by re-calibration using authentic samples. Cut-off concentrations for assessing compliance with low maximum levels and action levels set for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs within a range of 0.50–1.25 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat were derived, ensuring low rates of false-compliant results (ß-error < 1%) and keeping the rate of false-noncompliant results well under control (α-error < 12%). Conclusions We present a fast and efficient bioanalytical routine method validated according to the European Union’s legal requirements on the basis of authentic samples, allowing the analyst to reliably identify pork samples and any other EU-regulated foods of animal origin suspected to be noncompliant with a high level of performance and turn-around times of 52 h. This was facilitated in particular by a quick and efficient extraction step followed by selective clean-up, use of a highly sensitive “3rd generation” H4L7.5c2 recombinant rat hepatoma cell CALUX bioassay, and optimized assay performance with improved calibrator precision and reduced lack-of-fit errors. New restrictions are proposed for the calibrator bias and the unspecific background contribution to reportable results. The procedure can utilize comparably small sample amounts and allows an annual throughput of 840–1000 samples per lab technician. The described bioanalytical method contributes to the European Commission's objective of generating accurate and reproducible analytical results according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/644 across the European Union.

Determinants and barriers of PV self-consumption in Spain from the perception of the installers for the promotion of distributed energy systems

2020 ◽  
pp. 153-169
Author(s):  
José Ángel Gimeno ◽  
Eva Llera Sastresa ◽  
Sabina Scarpellini
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Distributed Energy ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Transition Scenario

Currently, self-consumption and distributed energy facilities are considered as viable and sustainable solutions in the energy transition scenario within the European Union. In a low carbon society, the exploitation of renewables for self-consumption is closely tied to the energy market at the territorial level, in search of a compromise between competitiveness and the sustainable exploitation of resources. Investments in these facilities are highly sensitive to the existence of favourable conditions at the territorial level, and the energy policies adopted in the European Union have contributed positively to the distributed renewables development and the reduction of their costs in the last decade. However, the number of the installed facilities is uneven in the European Countries and those factors that are more determinant for the investments in self-consumption are still under investigation. In this scenario, this paper presents the main results obtained through the analysis of the determinants in self-consumption investments from a case study in Spain, where the penetration of this type of facilities is being less relevant than in other countries. As a novelty of this study, the main influential drivers and barriers in self-consumption are classified and analysed from the installers' perspective. On the basis of the information obtained from the installers involved in the installation of these facilities, incentives and barriers are analysed within the existing legal framework and the potential specific lines of the promotion for the effective deployment of self-consumption in an energy transition scenario.

Occurrence of Ochratoxin A Contamination and Detection of Ochratoxigenic Aspergillus Species in Retail Samples of Dried Fruits and Nuts

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 836-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEFFREY D. PALUMBO ◽  
TERESA L. O'KEEFFE ◽  
YVONNE S. HO ◽  
CARLO J. SANTILLAN
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Ochratoxin A ◽  
The United States ◽  
Aspergillus Species ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Dried Fruits ◽  
Tree Nuts ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Potential Contaminant

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium and is a potential contaminant of a wide variety of food products. To determine the incidence of OTA contamination in dried fruits and tree nuts, retail packaged and bulk raisins, dates, figs, prunes, almonds, pistachios, and walnuts were collected from small and large supermarkets in seven areas of the United States between 2012 and 2014. Of the 665 samples analyzed, OTA was detected in 48 raisin samples, 4 fig samples, 4 pistachio samples, and 1 date sample. OTA contamination levels ranged from 0.28 to 15.34 ng/g in dried fruits and 1.87 to 890 ng/g in pistachios; two raisin samples and one pistachio sample exceeded the European Union regulatory limit of 10 ng/g. PCR detection of potential OTA-producing Aspergillus species revealed the presence of A. niger, A. welwitschiae, and A. carbonarius in 20, 7, and 7 of the 57 OTA-contaminated samples, respectively. However, OTA-producing A. carbonarius was isolated from only one raisin sample, and no other OTA-producing Aspergillus species were found. These results suggest that raisins are more frequently contaminated with low levels of OTA than are other dried fruits and nuts and that Aspergillus species are the likely source of that contamination.

scholarly journals Estereotipos en el derecho de asilo: un derecho estático para unas personas en movimiento / Stereotypes in Refugee Rights and Law

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Concha Horrillo
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
The State ◽  
The European Union ◽  
International Protection ◽  
General Terms ◽  
Asylum Law ◽  
The Social ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Social Critical

ABSTRACTIn matters regarding asylum and refuge, Spain maintains very low levels of applications and concessions compared to nearby States despite incorporating a reason, in my understanding a particularly transcendental reason for many people´s lives, such as protection for gender reasons. However, the social critical mass does not see these numbers, in general terms, as inappropriate and in turn, they allow the State to meet commitments on this issue. So, I am considering the possibility that Spain is using pity and risk policies to manipulate the notions of dignity and justice that society holds on this issue, to be able to meet targets required at all levels and soothe our conscience for what is done in terms of migration. Therefore, regarding what corresponds to refugees in terms of justice and despite it being clear that the asylum law does not always use stereotypes, nor are applications denied because of them, on many occasions people´s voices have been silenced when they apply for international protection so as not to be framed within the policy of a refugee established by Spain, the European Union and more widely the Western imaginary.RESUMENEn materia de asilo y refugio, España mantiene unos niveles muy bajos de solicitudes y concesiones en comparación con los Estados vecinos, a pesar de la incorporación de una razón particularmente trascendental a mi entender para la vida de muchas personas, como es la protección por razones de género. Sin embargo, la masa social crítica no percibe estas cifras, en términos generales, como inapropiadas y, a su vez, permiten al Estado a cumplir con los compromisos en esta materia. Por lo tanto, consideramos la posibilidad de que España está aplicando políticas de riesgo y de lástima para manipular las nociones de dignidad y justicia que la sociedad tiene sobre este tema, para poder alcanzar las metas requeridas en todos los niveles y calmar nuestra conciencia de lo que se hace respecto a la migración. Por lo tanto, respecto a lo que corresponde a los refugiados en términos de justicia, y a pesar de ser evidente que la ley de asilo no siempre utiliza estereotipos, ni niega las solicitudes por causa de ellos, en muchas ocasiones las voces de la gente han sido silenciadas cuando solicitan protección internacional que no se enmarca dentro de la política de refugiados establecida por España, la Unión Europea y, más ampliamente, el imaginario occidental.

Religion and Law in the European Union

2021 ◽  
pp. 306-322
Author(s):  
Norman Doe ◽  
Frank Cranmer
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Seven Principles ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Religion And Law ◽  
Regulatory Instruments ◽  
Religious Associations ◽  
Supranational Institutions

All three major European supranational institutions—the European Union (EU), the Council of Europe (CoE), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)—acknowledge the importance of religion within European history and culture and give special recognition to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. As has been argued elsewhere, the attitude of both the EU and the CoE to ‘religion’ is characterized by seven principles—the value of religion and of non-religion; subsidiarity; religious freedom; religious equality and non-discrimination; the autonomy of religious associations; cooperation with religion; and the special protection of religion by means of privileges and exemptions—principles that may be induced from their laws and other regulatory instruments. In doing so, they seek to maintain a balance between Europe’s religious, humanist, and cultural elements. How that balance and recognition operate in practice, however, is far from clear-cut and is highly sensitive to individual circumstances.

scholarly journals Commodity Outlook 2003: U.S. and World Sugar Markets

EDIS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 2003 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Schmitz
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Cooperative Extension ◽  
Resource Economics ◽  
Cooperative Extension Service ◽  
Extension Service ◽  
The European Union ◽  
University Of Florida ◽  
The World ◽  
Sugar Market ◽  
Low Levels

This paper provides an overview of U.S. sugar policy and the importance of the European Union (E.U.) and Brazil in the world sugar market. Both U.S. and E.U. sugar policies support sugar prices for growers well above world levels. Brazilian sugar producers are supported by their government sugar-ethanol program in which over 50 percent of the sugarcane grown in Brazil is converted into fuel. Sugar prices for U.S. and E.U. producers shouldremain at the current levels. World sugar prices should remain at near record low levels. This is EDIS document FE375, a publication of the Department of Food and Resource Economics, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Published February 2003. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe375

scholarly journals PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF DEEPENING EU-UKRAINIAN RELATIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlo Latkovskyi ◽  
Anna Marushchak
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Free Trade Area ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Fats And Oils ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Political Pluralism ◽  
Structural Problems ◽  
Hybrid Regime ◽  
The Eu

Three countries: Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine have concluded European Union Association Agreements, under similar terms and conditions of European Partnership. Analytical review allowed determining that in their political integrative development, they have similar problems and ways to overcome them. They are distinguished by a relatively high level of democratic freedoms and political pluralism; however, none of them can be considered as a consolidated democracy, these countries have hybrid political regimes. Among the main obstacles occurring on the way of their integration processes, one can distinguish problems associated with ethical, regional, and cultural conflicts; specific features of the formation of constitutional systems; features of the formation of PR technologies of government and society; deep-rooted corruption and influence of oligarchs in party systems and, as a consequence, propensity to use non-constitutional means of political struggle and economic development. Despite these structural problems, favouring European values and norms demonstrated by societies of the three countries holds the promise of consolidating democratic institutions and overcoming problems. The purpose of the article is to determine problems and prospects of deepening relations of the EU with three countries: Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, and to substantiate theses stating that consistent and reinforced integration of the European Union in this region is crucial for further success and development of all actors of this process. Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine do not compose a single region (both in a geographical and economic context); however, since 2014 they are developing according to the same scenarios. Their aspiration to integration has provoked problems in relations with Russia and intensified opposition to the policy of Europeanisation within the countries. In Ukraine, the most difficult and severe events took place: it passed through government overthrow, loss of territory, and military actions in Donbas caused by Russia, which continue to this day. For Moldova and Georgia, the choice of democratic imperatives also had grave consequences. In Georgia, they were identified as two long-term wars for the separation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia; ended with the defeat of central authorities and creation of two unrecognized states. Moldova has faced a similar problem in Transnistria in 1992. In all countries, Russian armed forces were important actors who played an important role in determining the results of these conflicts. According to the Democracy Index, Moldova is evaluated as “imperfect democracy”; Georgia – as “hybrid regime”; Ukraine has moved below, from the category of “imperfect democracy” to the lowest “hybrid regime”. Over the political pressure of Russia, the EU and Ukraine postpone the provisional application of the DCFTA (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area) to January 1, 2019. There are marked positive consequences of Ukrainian export to the EU, which volume has increased by 30% in 2017. The structure of exports to the EU has shifted towards machines and equipment, fats and oils of vegetable or animal origin, ready-made meals, and products of animal origin. The EU share in Ukrainian exports and imports has also increased due to a significant reduction in trade with Russia. The application of the EU tariff quotas for agricultural production has increased over the 2014–2017 years because Ukrainian producers have gradually overcome the problems with food safety and weak demand for their production. European choice is an extremely important factor for continuous democratization of all these three countries. In spite of competition among European and Eurasian identities, each of them considers itself a European country. The choice to continue the path of association with Europe, made by these countries, despite obvious political risks (especially severe for Ukraine), is the best evidence of their real adherence to European development path.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document