ENVI1140 Risk Analysis for Agriculture and the Environment Summative assignments Brief

Assignment Brief:

Based upon the MSc programme you are registered on you are asked to:

1. Identify a problem/hazard related to a specific situation, present information needed to carry out a risk analysis.  (Summative assignment 1)

2. Write a case study indicating the key activities that need to be carried out to assess the severity of the hazard.  You are also requested to develop a strategy to minimise the probability of the identified problem/hazard occurring.  You are encouraged to use the logical sequence as discussed and presented below in your lectures for a formal risk analysis. Summative assignment 2)

Introduction

Initiation – Identification of the Problem

• Define foodborne illness and its significance.

• Highlight the impact of contaminated food on public health.

• State the purpose and scope of the work.

Risk Assessment

Hazard Identification

• Identify common pathogens and contaminants in food.

• Discuss sources of contamination (e.g., production, processing, distribution).

Hazard Characterisation

• Describe the nature of identified hazards.

• Explain the health effects associated with each hazard.

Exposure Assessment

• Assess the likelihood of exposure to identified hazards.

• Consider factors such as consumption patterns and contamination levels.

Risk Characterisation

• Combine hazard and exposure assessments to estimate risk.

• Discuss the severity and probability of adverse health outcomes.

Risk Management

Activities and Options

• Outline strategies to control and prevent contamination.

• Discuss best practices in food handling, storage, and preparation.

Risk Management Decisions

• Evaluate the effectiveness of different risk management options.

• Make recommendations based on risk assessment findings.

Monitoring and Review

• Establish procedures for ongoing monitoring of food safety.

• Review and update risk management strategies as needed.

Risk Communication

Key Actors

• Identify stakeholders (e.g., public health officials, food industry, consumers).

• Develop a communication strategy to inform and educate stakeholders.

• Highlight the importance of transparency and collaboration in risk communication

• Identify stakeholders (e.g., public health officials, food industry, consumers).

• Develop a communication strategy to inform and educate stakeholders.

• Highlight the importance of transparency and collaboration in risk communication

Suggested topic areas

• Forestry

• Livestock (wild and domestic)

• Agriculture

• The food chain

• The environment

You should be aiming to carry out a risk analysis on a problem/hazard of your choice.

The recommended structure for this work is:

Introduction

Initiation – identification of the problem

• Risk assessment
• Hazard identification
• Hazard characterisation
• Exposure assessment
• Risk characterisation
• Risk management
• Activities and options
• Risk management decisions
• Monitoring and review
• Risk communication

Who are the key actors who need to understand the information and strategy that you have developed.

Part 1: Presentation

Prepare a 10 minute presentation on the topic you have chosen.  The presentation will be marked as work in progress.  You will also have 5 minutes to answer questions following your presentation.  The presentations will be on Friday 29th  November and 4th December 2024.  Please add your presentation to Moodle by 23.30 on 27th November 2024.

Assessment criteria

• Critical Analysis 
• Content
• Knowledge and understanding
• Structure and presentation
• Question handling

The presentation addresses learning outcomes 1,2,3 and 4.

• This presentation is worth 40% of total assessment for this course
• Plagiarism will be heavily penalised and may result in 0 marks allocated for the assignment.  Further information on this topic is included in the student handbook.
• You will receive written feedback on the assignment within 3 weeks of submission.

Part 2: Report

You should be aiming to write an account of up to c. 2,000 words (excluding any supporting references and any figures and tables).  The final report will be uploaded to Moodle by 23.30 on 5th January 2024.

Writing requirements are included in the student handbook:

• Font “Calibri 12pt”

• Line spacing 1.5

• Margins 2.0

• Citations in the Harvard format – please refer to Richard’s lecture on the Research Methods Course, Moodle

• Study skills on Moodle with provide guidance for critical appraisal and discussion