Overseas sessions can be organised on request. DG Trade on-site sessions are commissioned in the framework of a contract between the EC DG Trade and SARAF. They are entirely financed by the European Commission. The proposed project aims at providing a one/two-week training to technicians and officials in the field of residues and contaminants in foodstuff in different third countries. The programme mainly focuses on the requirements of each country and generally covers a first part with the regulation aspects such as: general EU regulation, national monitoring plan, and European network of residues laboratories. A second part of the program deals with more practical aspects such as the way to use analytical instruments but also the way to develop, validate and run analytical methods (which are reliable and affordable). Experts chosen to carry out this project are also asked to give the host country some elements regarding sampling (transport and storage), and to identify the way to improve the current residues control system in place (needs for further assistance, specific trainings…). In 2008, about 170 trainees were trained. In 2010 and 2011, about 220 trainees more have followed the training.

In 2010, a training in Thailand was dedicated to the dissemination of knowledge and results of the BioCop project (FP6). Twenty trainees benefited from the latest developments generated in the field of “new technologies to screen multiple chemical contaminants in food”.