Cefas to offer further training courses on the EU aquatic animal health regime
Following successful training courses in 2008 and 2009 Cefas is to offer further training and workshops on the aquatic animal health regime to facilitate safe trade in aquatic animals and products between EU member states, and allow their import from third countries to the EU.
The implementation of the harmonised aquatic animal health rules for the import of aquatic animals, and products thereof into the EU, and the new aquatic animal health regime, resulting from EU Directive 2006/88, has caused some confusion for authorities in the EU and third countries. This has resulted in problems for trade within the EU and imports into the EU as demonstrated by the inadequacy of some health certification accompanying consignments in trade. With FVO inspections for both EU member states and third countries likely as a result, the aim of the courses is to help clarify the application of the rules, provide a basic checklist for action and a health check prior to any such FVO missions. This should ensure that any risks arising from trade are kept to a minimum.
The latest course planned for early September 2009 over four days is aimed at those in senior policy posts in EU member states and those charged with the implementation of the regime. Other courses are planned for authorities in third countries. There are also plans to offer training to industry and other agencies coming in contact with aquatic animal businesses specifically covering bio-security and the risk based approach to managing aquatic animal health both in aquatic production businesses and in trade more generally.
