Download rapport - Center for Alternativ Samfundsanalyse

This project has developed an Intranet tool in a preliminary version whichshould be adjusted and further developed to become as serviceable as possiblefor Danish EPA employees. It will also be necessary for the Danish EPA todecide on the management of various cases – for example, when to decidethat products should be removed from the shelves.It will be advantageous if the Danish EPA systematically ensures gathering ofexperience of actual cases involving risks. This experience should be used toconstantly update the Intranet tool. It should be considered how to train employeesin using and producing the various parts of the tool. Moreover, itwould be advantageous not only to know how best to manage a case, but alsoto try this knowledge out in practice.The public has asked for a website where actual cases may be followed andwhere the status of previous cases involving risks can be accessed. The DanishEPA normally opens a debate forum on its website when an actual case is inthe news. It is recommended that the Danish EPA ensure continuous updatingof both current and older cases involving risks in order to make it easierfor interested parties to get a view of the status of a particular case. At thesame time it will be a good idea to give links to other relevant homepages, forexample, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, the Danish NationalBoard of Health and other relevant bodies with the corresponding updates of cases involving risks.Most people do not need or want to be heard about actual cases involvingrisks. Many indicate that it might be a good idea to form an ethical councilrepresented by business. The council could discuss actual cases involving risksand recommend management and communication of such cases. One of theaims of the council could be to estimate both the short-term risk of the individualcases as well as long-term perspectives, and review the total risk considerationswhich may affect humans and the environment.The Danish EPA should be very aware of its communication strategy andhow to broadcast specific messages both to the general public and to specifictarget groups. Not everyone reads the papers, watches the news, or listens tothe radio news and the information in the news media cannot always be expectedto report objectively. The news media review the various messages andthey have their own agendas to promote.Moreover, it is generally not enoughjust to report a risk, either informatively or educationally, in order to bringabout a change of behaviour in the general public. It is also necessary to motivatethe public through a mutual dialogue and on the basis of the public’sview of the risk.One way of creating a basis for a mutual dialogue about risksis through network communication where the debate with the public takesplace in their own fora.27