Permanent network to strengthen expertise on infectious diseases of aquaculture species and scientific advice to EU Policy (PANDA)

Background

Aquaculture in Europe provides work for people in remote areas and is a substitute to the decreasing landings by fisheries. The most important constraint to the development and sustainability of European aquaculture is infectious diseases, not only in terms of direct losses, but also indirectly as trade restrictions.  Several Member States have improved their disease management capabilities yet there is considerable scope for improved harmonisation of skills and relevant knowledge within the EU. 

PANDA will strengthen fish disease management through reinforcing and expanding the existing networks of experts.

Objectives

PANDA aims to establish an enlarged and permanent European network of experts in aquatic animal health. All known EU -and key non-Union -experts and laboratories will be encouraged to join. Specialised task forces will address the following topics with a view to issuing recommendations to the Commission:

• Risk analysis of exotic emerging and re-emerging disease hazards
• Developing an epidemiology database and advising on methods for disease diagnosis, surveillance, and containment
• Evaluating diagnostic methods (notably their standardisation and validation)
• Environmentally safe disease control strategies
• Training needs and opportunities

Policy development

• A comprehensive, functional, de-fragmented international network of experts across all fields relevant to infectious diseases in aquaculture which will be accessible to EU policy-makers and legislators
• An enhanced, structured scientific knowledge base to support Union policy and legislation
• Recommendations for disease prevention and control, methods harmonisation, and standards

Cefas contribution

• Overall project co-ordination
• Design and construction of a database of experts who provide scientific advice to the Commission on specific policy/legislation issues in aquatic animal health.
• Stimulate scientific exchange and discussions within the developed permanent network to provide a more comprehensive scientific base for information and advice on aquatic animal health problems relevant to EU policy and legislation.
• Disseminate the project findings to target groups and make recommendations to the European Commission on policy issues and maintenance of the network

Partners

This project involves 8 partners from 8 different countries.