Training courses

The Cefas Weymouth Laboratory is an internationally recognised centre for research into Fish and Shellfish diseases and the provision of advice and practical implementation of disease regulations. As a result, Cefas is uniquely placed to provide training for scientists, technical specialists and other professionals in the area of fish and shellfish health.   

The Cefas laboratory is:

• The European Community Reference Laboratory and National Reference Laboratory  for:
  • Bacterial and viral contamination in humans associated with bivalve shellfish consumption.
  • Norovirus.
  • Hepatitis A.
  • Salmonella.
  • Vibrios.
• The National Reference Laboratory for fish and shellfish diseases
  • Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS).
  • Infectious haematpoietic necrosis (IHN).
  • Bacterial kidney disease (BKD).
  • Gyrodactylus salaris (GS).
  • Spring viraemia of carp (SVC).
  • Marteiliosis.
  • Bonamiasis.
• The Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE) Reference Laboratory for:
  • Spring viraemia of carp (SVC)
  • Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN)
  • Crayfish plague.
• The lead laboratory for fish disease for the international programme Biological Effects Quality Assurance in Monitoring (BEQUALM) for environmental quality assessments.

Courses available 

Cefas offers a wide range of bespoke courses, on all aspects of fish and shellfish health and related subject areas.  Topics, at various levels, include:

• Fish health and the EU Directive.
• Welfare and environment factors in maintaining healthy fish stocks?
• Fish health controls in Europe and third countries.
• Approaches to fish health monitoring for farms and fisheries.
• Bio-security for professionals and farm/fishery operations.
• Investigations into disease outbreaks.
• Grounding in tests available and sampling protocols.
• Biosecurity for work on farms and inland waters.
• Sampling fish for disease.
• Histopathology of fish disease.
• KHV diagnosis and understanding.

Course format

Typically, courses will run for one to several days and are designed in a modular format to facilitate continuous development and/or provide natural links to follow on or related subjects.  We operate a rolling schedule of courses with the aim of reacting to the demand of our customers rather than fixing dates.  Therefore we can remain responsive and flexible to meet your availability.  

Course sizes, depending on their nature, will be of a limited number of participants, particularly when a hands-on laboratory-based aspect is included.      

Course delivery

Many of our courses are held in the Weymouth area and, specifically, at our modern and well equipped laboratory (particularly if there is a practical element).  The training is delivered by specialist scientific and technical staff many of whom, are recognised experts in their respective areas. 

We can also run bespoke courses at your offices or in your local area depending on the technical content and the availability of suitable facilities (appropriate to the training to be provided).  Furthermore our experts can travel outside the UK to deliver training directly in your country. We can also develop bespoke courses on a wide range of fish health and related topics.  Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements or to find out more about our training or, indeed, to suggest topics.

Cefas staff have recently provided bespoke FVO aquatic health training to the FVO veterinary inspectors. We also completed a period of training for the Malaysian government covering aspects of fish health theory and practical work for visisting scientists.

Announcement

Participants are invited to attend a four day training course to be held at the Weymouth laboratory from 9 am on Tuesday 1^st September to 13.00 hrs on Friday 4^th September 2009.

The course will cover the implementation of the new EU Aquatic Animal Health legislation arising from EU Directive 2006/88 and the resultant implications for trade in aquatic animals and products.

This course is intended for those in senior government policy posts responsible for the aquatic animal health controls in their country and those responsible for its implementation, particularly aquatic animal health export certification. The course gives details of the concepts of the AAH controls. It will cover a comprehesive introduction to the regime whilst providing a reivew, check list and time line for action for those currently training with the EU. Courses for other government oficlas and aquatic animal production businesses focusing of aquatic animal health, bio-security, accredited laboratory testing and risk based health controls are also available on a regular basis.

Weymouth is an attractive seaside town in the south west of England with rail connections to London and Southampton airports. Bristol and Exeter airports are also within 2 hours drive.

The cost of this 4 day course will be £ 1500 (GBP) per person. This cost includes lunches, teas and coffees and a workshop dinner. There are extensive local hotels whose costs vary from £55 - £85 per night (bed and breakfast). Once you have confirmed your attendance we will be pleased to book an hotel room for you.Please let me know if you have any questions or we can help with your travel arrangements.

• A course for authorities in Member States on aquatic animal health controls and trade
• A course for third country authorities on aquatic animal health controls and trade

Administration

Attendees will normally be expected to manage their own travel arrangements, although recommendations on locally available hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation are available on request. 

For more details on any of our courses or general course enquiries, please contact  us.