Appendix 18

Appendix 18

CONCEPT NOTE

1.

2. Proposal prepared by: EuFMD Secretariat Title:Seminar/workshops for training /updating:

EuFMD/EC/OIE Rolling “FMD control Roadshows”: experiences, advances, standards and partnerships in preparing for possible FMD emergencies

3.

4.

5. Short description of the background to issue or situation The 36th Session (2005) recommended development of a training initiative, to address the lack of familiarity with the clinical signs of FMD, as result of few countries in Europe having had outbreaks in the past 20 years. A set of module outlines was developed, and training materials (following a course for Greece/Bulgaria/Cyprus/Turkey/Caucasus) placed on a wiki-site (EUFMD training wiki). The lessons learnt from outbreaks in 2007 in the UK and the investigations in Cyprus, included the need for adapting surveillance procedures and intensity to the husbandry situation, and the integration of screening tests for pre-clinical or convalescent cases. The recent lessons suggest that there is a need for refresher courses even in countries with recent experience that bring together lessons and best practices from contingency planning, field surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, and international (EC and OIE) requirements. Key bottlenecks/issues addressed

This proposal is based on discussions with European CVOs and from FAO experience, that CVOs seek assurance that: 1) they have sufficient staff that can recognize FMD and undertake initial investigations; 2) that epidemiological staff understand the specificities of FMD transmission, to guide local responses to outbreaks, assessment and decision making; 3) their laboratory experts and procedures are appropriate and able to scale up to demand; 4) they know what is required /expected by the international community and what support can be offered (EC, OIE and FAO); 5) they understand the implications and opportunities of recent changes to the OIE manual and EC Directive, for example in use of designating containment zones. The requirements clearly differ from country to country, in part depending on number and turnover of senior staff, and level of experience in disease control, including testing of contingency plans. Proposed action To develop and offer a rolling seminar/workshop programme (“FMD Roadshow”) that: • uses expertise from 3 main partners - FAO (EUFMD expert group, FAO experts, WRL), OIE (Regional Commission/HQ), EC (SANCO or CRL); has a “basic content” to make it relatively simple to organize; tailored to country interests/concerns/situation and capacity; is short, intense and uses appropriate interactive methods (desk top decision making etc), does not drain staff resources of FAO/OIE/EC; could be given as “National” or “Regional” events;

is useful also to the trainers/leaders (networking, widening expertise, pre-empting problems); could be model for similar Roadshows outside of Europe (e.g. lab expert + OIE and/or FAO).

If the Executive Committee, EC and OIE consider the concept/ approach potentially useful, the next stage would be: identify countries for a rolling programme, or ask member states to volunteer could be model for similar Roadshows outside of Europe (e.g. lab expert + OIE and/or FAO); If the Executive Committee, EC and OIE consider the concept/ approach potentially useful, the next stage would be: identify countries for a rolling programme, or ask member states to volunteer could be model for similar Roadshows outside of Europe (e.g. lab expert + OIE and/or FAO). If the Executive Committee, EC and OIE consider the concept/ approach potentially useful, the next stage would be: identify countries for a rolling programme, or ask member states to volunteer; identify a “standard Agenda/coverage/content” with expected inputs by each of the 2-3 trainers; undertake a pilot Roadshow and evaluate feedback.

Outputs: • a “FAO/OIE/EC Roadshow” on FMD that is easy to organize, and could be a rapid and intense method for the 3 organisations to engage with countries to promote understanding and application of EU and OIE norms; improved uptake of new developments by MS, builds partnership between parties.

6. Budget estimate: If we assume: • • • •

countries requesting seminars cover costs of participation of their own staff, events are 1.5-2 days duration; host countries provide facilities and hospitality; EC, OIE, FAO release staff without fee, to work on a travel and allowance basis (UN rates); that each organisation may delegate non-staff to represent them (Community exprts, OIE and EuFMD experts); one organization (EUFMD) acts as the lead, handling arrangements (under a joint EUFMD/OIE/EC banner), and pays for flights/travel (OIE and EC..).

then cost per seminar will be modest (6-10,000€ per “Roadshow event”, assuming 3 trainers, flights at 1000€ plus 3 nights at 333€, which maybe overestimates, plus cost of interpretation and materials). On this basis 6 events (in 12 months..) could be arranged for circa 50,000 €, and any savings could be used to add additional events.

7.

8. To be decided/ recommend

To be considered in the ExC Recommendation

next steps; develop programme or move to plan first Roadshow; number of such events – and country priorities – for 2008-9; focal points in each Organization; Further development – and/or implementation of the proposal. Further information on the matter

There could be synergy to combine the Roadshows with introduction of the FMD CP assessment tool (separate proposal).