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Foot-and-mouth disease: a step closer to understanding the persistence of the virus in ruminants
Fièvre aphteuse : un pas de plus vers la compréhension de la persistance du virus chez les ruminants
28/04/2025
News

Foot-and-mouth disease: a step closer to understanding the persistence of the virus in ruminants

Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the most contagious viral animal diseases. It affects more than 70 domestic and wild species, in particular cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. Disease-free countries are not exempt, as has been shown by recent cases since January 2025 in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. The disease has a major socio-economic impact on livestock sectors, both in areas where it is endemic and in the event of an incursion into a previously disease-free area. For more than 50 years, a complex question has been asked: in areas where the virus circulates, why is it able to persist in up to 50% of infected ruminants after their apparent recovery? ANSES's Laboratory for Animal Health sought to answer this question through FMDV_PersIstOmics, an international research project. This project revealed that one of the virus's proteins plays a key role in this persistence.
Analysis of the results of Inserm’s collective expert review on the health effects of pesticides
 Analyse des résultats de l’expertise collective de l’Inserm sur les effets des pesticides sur la santé
24/04/2025

Analysis of the results of Inserm’s collective expert review on the health effects of pesticides

The adverse effects of plant protection products must be monitored and taken into account so that their uses and marketing authorisations can be adjusted where necessary. Through its phytopharmacovigilance scheme, ANSES analysed the results of a major scientific study: Inserm’s collective expert review on the links between pesticide exposure and human health, updated in 2021. Following this analysis, the Agency identified several health signals, including a strong signal concerning pyrethroids, which are used in plant protection products as well as in biocides and veterinary medicinal products. ANSES reiterates the importance of regularly reviewing the assessments of substances and products in light of new data.
Our 2025 work programme
18/04/2025

Our 2025 work programme

ANSES's work programme, which is updated each year, enables it to pursue and develop its activities in order to keep abreast of health risks and new scientific possibilities. The publication for the 2025 programme sheds light on the actions planned for this year, in support of public action and all the initiatives designed to safeguard human, animal, plant and environmental health.
Domestic fridge temperatures studied in Europe to better protect consumers
La température des réfrigérateurs des Européens étudiée pour mieux protéger les consommateurs
18/04/2025

Domestic fridge temperatures studied in Europe to better protect consumers

Scientists at ANSES’s Laboratory for Food Safety have reviewed the reference temperature used to calculate the use-by dates of ready-to-eat refrigerated foods. This temperature takes account of those actually observed in domestic refrigerators in 16 European countries. It was defined to prevent foodborne infections caused by pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes .
ANSES’s role in limiting the spread of new cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe
Nouveaux cas de fièvre aphteuse en Europe : l’Anses impliquée pour limiter la propagation
14/04/2025

ANSES’s role in limiting the spread of new cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe

Since early 2025, outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported in Germany, and more recently in Hungary and Slovakia. We provide an update on this highly contagious disease and ANSES's role as the European Union Reference Laboratory, a mandate it shares with the Sciensano Institute in Belgium.
Caution needed when eating wild asparagus
Asperges des bois
14/04/2025

Caution needed when eating wild asparagus

The wild asparagus season is here. Although considered to be edible, this plant can cause potentially serious poisoning: swelling of the throat, difficulty swallowing, etc. These symptoms generally occur three to four hours after consumption. Laboratory analysis of wild asparagus samples has revealed the presence of numerous calcium oxalate raphides, microscopic crystals known for their irritating effect.
ANSES to coordinate Green Data for Health (GD4H) in support of environmental health
02/04/2025

ANSES to coordinate Green Data for Health (GD4H) in support of environmental health

On Wednesday 2 April 2025, a cooperation agreement was signed between the members of the Green Data for Health project (GD4H), entrusting ANSES with its coordination. GD4H brings together a community of French environmental health stakeholders, with the aim of facilitating the availability of environmental data and their cross-referencing with health data.
Working conditions of food delivery couriers for digital platforms are damaging to their health
Travailleurs des plateformes numériques de livraison de repas
26/03/2025

Working conditions of food delivery couriers for digital platforms are damaging to their health

The rise of digital platforms has been accompanied by changes in working patterns that are raising health issues for workers such as food delivery couriers. In its expert appraisal, ANSES highlights the health consequences for workers who deliver food on two wheels in urban areas while being subject to algorithmic management. These couriers experience both short- and long-term effects related in particular to constant pressure, isolation and a difficult working environment; for example, they are prone to road accidents, stress, exhaustion and musculoskeletal disorders. To protect the health and improve the safety of food delivery couriers in France, ANSES recommends that the application of the health and safety provisions set out for employees in the French Labour Code be made mandatory for these workers.
France 2030: signature of an agreement between the SGPI, the DGAL and ANSES to boost the development of biocontrol products in France
24/03/2025

France 2030: signature of an agreement between the SGPI, the DGAL and ANSES to boost the development of biocontrol products in France

At the Paris International Agricultural Show, Bruno Bonnell, Secretary General for Investment with responsibility for France 2030, Maud Faipoux, Director General for Food and Benoit Vallet, Director General of ANSES, signed an agreement reaffirming their commitment to support the development of biocontrol plant protection products in France.

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