76Furthermore, the adoption of a preventive measure, or, conversely, its withdrawal or relaxation, cannot be made subject to proof of the lack of any risk, in so far as such proof is generally impossible to give in scientific terms since zero risk does not exist in practice (see, to that effect, Solvay Pharmaceuticals v Council, cited in paragraph 66 above, paragraph 130). It follows that a preventive measure may be taken only if the risk, although the reality and extent thereof have not been ‘fully’ demonstrated by conclusive scientific evidence, appears nevertheless to be adequately backed up by the scientific data available at the time when the measure was taken (Pfizer Animal Health v Council, cited in paragraph 68 above, paragraphs 144 and 146). In such a situation, ‘risk’ thus corresponds to the degree of probability that the acceptance of certain measures or practices will adversely affect the interests safeguarded by the legal order (see, to that effect, Pfizer Animal Health v Council, cited in paragraph 68 above, paragraph 147).
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