EFSA performs Environmental Risk Assessments ("ERA") as part of its evaluations of "regulated products"—pesticides, genetically modified organisms, and additives in food and animal feed, as well as of invasive alien species that are harmful to plant health. The aim of the current documents is to harmonize the way in which EFSA approaches ERA. The opinions identify three areas in particular where EFSA should establish common approaches: (i) the specification of biodiversity-related protection goals at the start of the assessment, (ii) coverage of endangered species, and (iii) the potential for ecological recovery following damage. Risk assessors and risk managers will now discuss how to make best use of these common frameworks.

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