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Milestones in the History of the Joint FAO-IAEA Division
1964
- The Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Atomic Energy in Agriculture established on 1 October
- Mr Maurice Fried from the United States (1963–1983) was appointed Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division
- The First International FAO/IAEA Symposium was held in Prague on Use of Radioisotopes in Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- The first Manual was published on the use of isotopic technologies for animal production and health
- The first Laboratory Training Manual was produced on the use of Isotopes and Radiation in Soil-Plant Relations Research
1966
- Signing of the Revised Arrangements between the Directors General of the FAO and the IAEA for the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Atomic Energy in Food and Agriculture
- First CRP on the use of isotopes and radiation in studies on the etiology, effects and control of parasitic diseases in domestic animals
- Best nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer management practices for trees, wheat and rice identified through the use of N-15 and P-32 tracer techniques was introduced. The practical feasibility of using the soil moisture neutron probe under field conditions demonstrated
1967
- Isotopes and Radiation Techniques in Soil Physics and Irrigation Studies
1968
- First sterile insect technique (SIT) field pilot project for Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) suppression in Capri, Italy
- Isotopes and Radiation in Soil Organic Matter Studies
1969
- First FAO/IAEA international training course on crop mutation breeding
1970
- Publication of the first Manual on Mutation Breeding
- Isotope Techniques for Studying Animal Protein Production from Non-Protein Nitrogen
1972
- Nitrogen-15 labelled fertilizer methodology developed for measuring fertilizer use efficiency to improve agriculture production
- First SIT field pilot project against the tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans) in Tanzania
- First symposium on environmental adaptation of animal ecosystems
- First CRP on using the analysis of the stable isotope 15N on studies of non-protein nitrogen supplements to feed ruminants
1974
- Publication of a Laboratory Training Manual on the Use of Radionuclides and Radiation in Animal Research
1977
- Publication of the 2nd edition of Manual on Mutation Breeding
- Manual of Food Irradiation Dosimetry published as IAEA Technical Report Series No. 178
1978
- Concepts of nitrogen-15 usage in biological nitrogen fixation studies developed
- Urea molasses multi-nutrient blocks developed as a source of energy and protein for ruminants
1979
- Signing of the Revised Arrangements between the Directors General of the FAO and the IAEA for the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
- Publication of a Laboratory Training Manual on the Use of Nuclear Techniques in Animal Research
- Publication of Isotopes and Radiation in Research on Soil-Plant Relationships
- The feasibility of using the soil moisture neutron probe under field conditions demonstrated
1980
- The Joint FAO/IAEA Division changed its name to Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Isotopes and Radiation Application of Atomic Energy for Food and Agricultural Development
- Introduction of tissue culture (biotechnology) for in vitro mutation induction
- Conclusion of an international expert committee on the Wholesomeness of Irradiated Foods that “Food irradiated with an overall average dose of 10 kGy causes no toxicological hazard; thus, testing of food so treated is no longer required”
1982
- Mediterranean fruit fly declared eradicated from southern Mexico
1983
- Mr Björn Sigurbjörnsson from Iceland (1983–1995) was appointed Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division
- Nuclear-related diagnostic platforms (RIA/ELISA) established for animal reproduction and disease diagnoses
- Nuclear Techniques for Assessing and Improving Ruminant Feeds
- A guide to the Use of Nitrogen-15 and Radioisotopes in Studies of Plant Nutrition: Calculations and Interpretation of Data
- Codex Alimentarius Commission adopts a Codex General Standard for Irradiated Foods and a Recommended International Code of Practice for the Operation of Radiation Facilities used for the Treatment of Foods
1984
- The Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC) was first established at Seibersdorf laboratories for the evaluation of fermentation characteristics of fibrous crop residue-based diets
- Publication on Field Soil-Water Properties Measured through Radiation Techniques
- The International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation (ICGFI) was formally established in May 1984 under the aegis of FAO, IAEA and WHO
1985
- The Joint FAO/IAEA Division changed its name to Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Atomic Energy in Food and Agriculture
- Nuclear Techniques to Study the Role of Mycorrhiza in Increasing Food Production
1986
- The solid-phase RIA kits for milk and plasma progesterone were validated for cattle, sheep and milk samples
- The ELISA laboratory unit was established in Seibersdorf as part of the Animal Production and Health laboratory
- FAO/IAEA International Symposium on Use of Nuclear Techniques in Studies of Animal Production and Health in Different Environments
- Isotope and Radiation Techniques for Efficient Water and Fertilizer Use in Semi-Arid Regions
- The first FAO/IAEA internationally coordinated research project into phytosanitary irradiation commenced
1987
- The External Quality Service for FAO/IAEA Progesterone kits was initiated
1988
- The first Rinderpest ELISA kits were validated in collaboration with Pirbright Institute (UK) and sent to 17 countries to start rinderpest eradication campaign
1989
- Signing of the Revised Arrangements between the Directors General of the FAO and the IAEA for the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
- The Joint Division gets its current name (Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture)
- Guidelines for the control of foods contaminated by radionuclides adopted as international Codex standards
- First temperature-sensitive lethal genetic sexing strain developed for SIT application against Mediterranean fruit fly
1990
- Reference books “Livestock reproduction in Latin America” and “Domestic buffalo production in Asia” published and widely distributed
- Training course series on Use of Nuclear Techniques in Studies of Soil-Plant Relationships
1991
- Stable Isotopes in Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Environmental Studies
- FAO/IAEA International Symposium on Nuclear and Related Techniques in Animal Production and Health
1992
- New World screwworm fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax) eradicated from Libya using the SIT
1993
- Utilization of phosphate rock sources through use of phosphorus-32 for agricultural production
- FAO/IAEA Laboratory becomes OIE Collaborating Centre for ELISA and Molecular Techniques in the Diagnosis of Animal Diseases
- ELISA diagnostic tests for several transboundary and zoonotic animal diseases developed, validated and produced or assembled in the laboratory and delivered to Member States in the format of a ‘kit’ and supported by an EQA programme (lasting for 12 years and delivering millions of units every year)
1994
- SIT programme established for the prevention of Mediterranean fruit fly in Los Angeles Basin, California, USA
- First global evaluation of artificial insemination (AI) service quality using nuclear techniques
- The largest number of solid-phase RIA kits for milk and plasma progesterone sent to 65 Member States
- The self-coating progesterone FAO/IAEA RIA kit for plasma samples was developed and validated at Seibersdorf laboratories
- The OIE Standards Commission designated the Brucella ELISA kit developed in Seibersdorf as a prescribed test for Brucella abortus in cattle
- AIDA (Artificial Insemination Database Application) was developed and distributed. Several other computer applications were then developed by APH in support of its R&D activities
- “Recommended procedures for the disease and serological surveillance as part of the lobal Rinderpest Eradication Programme (GREP)”, relevant to the Rinderpest global eradication programme, was released
- Guidance for food irradiation regulation provides the basis for legislation worldwide with the production of ICGFI Document 15: Guidelines Authorization of Irradiation Generally or by Classes of Food
1995
- Mr James Dargie from United Kingdom (1995–2005) was appointed Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division
- The External Quality Service for FAO/IAEA ELISA kits was initiated
- Use of Nuclear Techniques in Studying Soil Erosion and Siltation
- Evaluation of the Agronomic Effectiveness of Phosphate Fertilizers through the Use of Nuclear Related Techniques
1996
- Techniques involving fallout radionuclides developed for evaluation of soil erosion
- Nuclear and complimentary techniques introduced for the analysis of veterinary drug residues in foods
1997
- The tsetse fly (Glossina austeni) eradicated from Zanzibar, Tanzania, using the SIT
- FAO/IAEA International Symposium of Diagnosis and Control of Livestock Diseases using Nuclear and Related Techniques "Towards the 21st Century"
- Sewage Sludge and Wastewater for Use in Agriculture
2000
- Commercial phytosanitary irradiation facility for fresh fruits established in Hawaii, USA
- Livestock Information Management Application (LIMA) to store and analyse livestock data launched
- Comparison of Soil Water Management using the Neutron Scattering, Time Domain Reflectometry and Capacitance Methods
- Management and Conservation of Tropical Acid Soils for Sustainable Crop Production
- Assessment of Soil Erosion and Sedimentation through the Use of the 137Cs and Related Techniques
2001
- Signing of the Revised Arrangements between the Directors General of the FAO and the IAEA for the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
- Use of Isotope and Radiation Methods in Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition –Manual
- Maximising the Use of Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Agriculture. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences. Volume 99
2002
- FAO/IAEA/USDA Manual for Product Quality Control and Shipping Procedures for Sterile Mass-Reared Tephritid Fruit Flies published
- Utilization of Phosphate Rocks to Improve Soil P Status for Sustainable Crop Production in Acid Soils
- A new manual of Food Irradiation Dosimetry was published as IAEA Technical Report Series No. 409
2003
- The FAO/IAEA International Symposium on Applications of Gene-based Technologies for Improving Animal Production and Health in Developing Countries gave the new path to R&D activities of APH
- With technical input from FAO/IAEA, the International Plant Protection Convention adopts Guidelines for the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary measure as International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 18
2004
- Partnership agreement signed with Austrian Government for research on exotic highly contagious animal pathogens
- Memorandum of Understanding with the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Security (AGES) for the use of the high-security laboratory
2005
- Mr Qu Liang from China (2005–present) was appointed Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division
- Mediterranean fruit fly eradicated from Chile using the SIT
- First molecular nuclear diagnostic tests in animal health validated and distributed to Member States
- Worldwide reference book “Molecular diagnostic PCR handbook” published
2006
- Neutron and Gamma Probes: Their Use in Agronomy (Second Edition) (IAEA Training Course Series No. 16)
2008
- Oxygen-18 stable isotopic technique developed to improve water use efficiency in cropping systems
- Mediterranean and other fruit flies eradicated from southern Argentina and southern Peru using the SIT
2009
- Invasive cactus moth eradicated from Yucatan, Mexico, using the SIT
- Studies started on irradiated vaccines and their potential for use in the control of livestock diseases
- Use of stable isotopes for tracing wild bird movements and correlation with occurrence of Avian Flu
- Full set of sheep genotypic data was released via the International Sheep Genomics Consortium website
- FAO/IAEA International Symposium on Sustainable Improvement of Animal Production and Health
2010
- IAEA Director General decided to integrate the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory (ABL) into the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. The five laboratories accordingly were merged into the relevant Sections of the Division
- Analytical methods for food traceability and authenticity established
- Goat genome mapped using nuclear techniques to characterize indigenous goat breeds
- Studies started on molecular genetics as tools for identifying genetic markers for resistance to infectious diseases
- Mosquito mass-rearing system transferred to Member States for pilot field tests
- False codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) successfully managed in South Africa using the SIT
2011
- Declaration of the global freedom from rinderpest and the contribution of the Animal Production and Health Section
- The goat radiation hybrid map was constructed
- DNA bank for livestock characterization established at Seibersdorf laboratories
2012
- e-learning module on ‘Phylogenetics of Animal Pathogens: Basic Principles and Applications’
- Scientific Forum on ‘Food for the Future: Meeting the Challenges with Nuclear Applications’
2013
- Signing of the Revised Arrangements between the Directors General of the FAO and the IAEA, Mr José Graziano da Silva and Mr Yukiya Amano, for the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
- Mediterranean fruit fly eradicated from western Guatemala
- Compound-specific stable isotope techniques developed for assessing sediment source and soil erosion
- First tests on the use of cosmic-ray neutron sensor technology for area-wide soil moisture assessment
2014
- The lab renovation began with the Renovation of the Nuclear Applications Laboratories (ReNuAL) project. Ground-breaking ceremony of ReNuAL for two laboratory buildings of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division was held on 29 September
- Synonymization of key pest species within the Bactrocera dorsalis species complex (Diptera: Tephritidae)
- Food irradiation technology established for phytosanitary treatment on commercial scale (>20 000 tonnes/year from 13 commercial irradiation facilities and involving at least 11 countries)
- First international symposium on application of nuclear and related techniques for food safety and quality
- Released first Ug99 resistant mutant variety in wheat
2015
- Tsetse Fly Eradication Project in Senegal Wins Award for Best Sustainable Development Practices
- Research initiated on the development of electron beam and X ray applications for food irradiation based on new small and reliable electric sources (electron beam and X ray tubes)
- Manual of good practice in food irradiation was published in IAEA Technical Report Series No. 481
2016
- Technical support helps Botswana control animal diseases, ensure food safety and maintain its beef exports
2017
- Genetics Laboratory Information and Data Management System (GLIDMaS) application developed and launched
- Invasive Mediterranean fruit fly eradicated from Dominican Republic, using the SIT
- International Database on Commodity Tolerance (IDCT) launched
- New Insect Pest Control Laboratory in Seibersdorf inaugurated
- Strengthened food safety laboratory capabilities in Benin enabled the access of pineapples and honey to EU market
2018
- Publication of the 3rd edition of Manual on Mutation Breeding
- Release of Beta version of DSS4NAFA, decision-support system for nuclear emergencies affecting food and agriculture
- Successful test of drones by releasing insects in fight against disease-transmitting mosquitoes
2019
- The new laboratory building of Insect Pest Control, as part of ReNuAL Project, was operational in October 2019
2020
- Yukiya Amano Laboratories building, which housed the Animal Production and Health Laboratory, Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Laboratory, and Food and Environmental Protection Laboratory, officially opened in June 2020
- The largest IAEA technical cooperation initiative was launched in support to Member States on using PCR techniques for COVID-19 diagnosis
2021
- Signing of the Revised Arrangements between the Directors -General of the FAO and the IAEA, Mr Rafael Mariano Grossi and Mr Qu Dongyu
- The Joint FAO/IAEA partnership was upgraded, and the Division was designated as the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
- A second edition of the book, Sterile Insect Technique: Principles and Practice in Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management, published and available as an open access publication
- Guidelines on Measuring Emission of Agricultural Greenhouse Gases and Developing Mitigation Options using Nuclear and Related Techniques published
- ZODIAC (Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action) project was launched with the participation of nearly all IAEA Member States