Welcome to the Registration Platform for the Fish-Vet Dialogue.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) are jointly organizing this Fish-Vet Dialogue: Exploring Collaboration on Managing Health of Aquatic Organisms, with the support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI). This event will be conducted in collaboration with Member States and in partnership with INFOFISH and relevant intergovernmental organizations.
BACKGROUND
Aquaculture production worldwide has steadily increased over the past few decades and its contribution to food security and poverty alleviation is well-recognized. The importance of aquaculture biosecurity and managing health of aquatic organisms is becoming more apparent in this fastest growing food producing sector, particularly its role in preventing or reducing disease-related production and market losses.
The diverse stakeholders and enterprises involved in the aquaculture supply and value chains are very important, and each segment is a potential source of disease introduction. The formation of public-private sector partnerships and promotion of collaborative processes among key players at the regional, international, national and enterprise levels is an important part of developing a sustainable biosecurity and health management system. This collaboration promotes shared responsibility amongst key stakeholders for developing and implementing effective biosecurity measures to address risks throughout the aquaculture value chain.
Although COVID-19 does not affect aquatic food animals1,2, the pandemic has triggered a number of indirect impacts on the aquaculture sector. Governments have implemented protective measures in attempt to prevent or limit the spread of the disease, which have caused disruption in domestic and international supply chains3.
A shared understanding of perceived risks for disease emergence, current challenges and successful intervention strategies among Member States is necessary to address emerging disease risks and trade-related concerns. An open platform for stakeholders to share their respective mandates and experiences and identify areas for collaboration and potential solutions concerning aquaculture biosecurity, managing health of aquatic organisms and/or trade-related barriers, including challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic will be a good starting point.
The diverse stakeholders and enterprises involved in the aquaculture supply and value chains are very important, and each segment is a potential source of disease introduction. The formation of public-private sector partnerships and promotion of collaborative processes among key players at the regional, international, national and enterprise levels is an important part of developing a sustainable biosecurity and health management system. This collaboration promotes shared responsibility amongst key stakeholders for developing and implementing effective biosecurity measures to address risks throughout the aquaculture value chain.
Although COVID-19 does not affect aquatic food animals1,2, the pandemic has triggered a number of indirect impacts on the aquaculture sector. Governments have implemented protective measures in attempt to prevent or limit the spread of the disease, which have caused disruption in domestic and international supply chains3.
A shared understanding of perceived risks for disease emergence, current challenges and successful intervention strategies among Member States is necessary to address emerging disease risks and trade-related concerns. An open platform for stakeholders to share their respective mandates and experiences and identify areas for collaboration and potential solutions concerning aquaculture biosecurity, managing health of aquatic organisms and/or trade-related barriers, including challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic will be a good starting point.
PURPOSE
The major objectives of this meeting are:
1. To provide a platform to inform of respective mandates, share experiences and identify areas for collaboration concerning aquaculture biosecurity, health management ofaquatic organisms and/or trade-related matters;
2. To share challenges faced due to COVID-19 in terms of trade of aquatic organisms and their products; and
3. Discuss future actions based on lessons learned.
1 https://www.asianfisheriessociety.org/publication/abstract.php?id=1291
2 http://www.fao.org/3/ca9959en/CA9959EN.pdf
3 http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/ca9349en
1 https://www.asianfisheriessociety.org/publication/abstract.php?id=1291
2 http://www.fao.org/3/ca9959en/CA9959EN.pdf
3 http://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/ca9349en
