On 10 June 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an external scientific report titled "Model development to predict environmental concentrations of chemical substances in marine sediment when the substance is applied via feed in marine aquaculture: Task 1.4. Model setup and analysis." The report presents a modelling framework designed to estimate the concentration of chemical substances—such as veterinary medicines or feed additives—that accumulate in marine sediment after being administered through feed in marine aquaculture operations. The model is intended to support environmental risk assessments for substances used in fish farming.
The document, produced under EFSA's procurement, details the setup and analysis of a predictive model that accounts for factors such as water depth, current velocity, sediment type, and the degradation rate of substances. It aims to provide regulators and industry with a tool to assess potential environmental impacts, particularly on benthic organisms. The report is part of a broader EFSA project to improve methodologies for evaluating the environmental fate of chemicals in marine ecosystems.
No prior coverage of this specific report exists in recent months. The model development responds to the need for more accurate environmental exposure assessments in the aquaculture sector, which has grown significantly under the EU's sustainable aquaculture strategy. The report does not set binding standards but offers a scientific basis for future regulatory guidance.
The modelling tool could affect aquaculture producers by potentially leading to stricter monitoring requirements for feed additives, increasing compliance costs. Conversely, it may benefit environmental NGOs and regulators by providing a more robust method to assess ecological risks. Chemical manufacturers supplying the aquaculture sector may face additional data requirements to demonstrate the safety of their products. The report itself does not mandate immediate changes but informs future EFSA opinions and potential updates to EU legislation on veterinary medicinal products and feed additives.