Risk analysis background Risk analysis comprises hazard identification, risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. A hazard is something which is potentially harmful, to humans, other animals, plants or the environment, A risk is the probability that a defined hazard will cause a specific unwanted outcome. Risk assessment is the systematic process of estimating objectively and transparently the probability that an identified hazard will result in an unwanted outcome. It is important that risk assessment and risk management are kept separate to avoid confusion. However, the phases of risk analysis are dynamic and interactive, and communication between scientists and risk managers should take place throughout the process.
Risk analysis is useful and important in the protection of public health.
In cases where there is an absence of clear data providing evidence for a public health risk or a scarcity of data, risk analysis can provide a framework for a dialogue between science and policy makers and other interested stakeholders. Risk analysis, particularly the risk assessment and risk management elements, is applied in the pre-approval regulatory process in the assessment of the efficacy and safety of new animal health products before they are licensed. Risk analysis is also applied in the post-approval reevaluation of products. However, for antibiotic use in animals a procedure for risk assessment and risk management has not been clearly defined. The working group has addressed the issue by examining the data available for certain compounds, and also by attempting to define an approach to risk assessment, which could be applied to any individual case.