The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme on
- Provide for a common understanding of the current state of play of suitable approaches to address outbreaks of priority pests in the EU territory
- Identify tools, procedures and reaction measures (generic and specific)
- Compare key elements of contingency plans and other preparedness elements elaborated by their respective MS
- Building capacity at national level for the planning and implementation of plant health contingency actions
- Developing specific skills, through training, simulation and the exchange of experience and best practices
- Ensuring the new skills, knowledge and best practices learned are disseminated effectively within MS
Content
The course addresses the following topics:
- Introduction to contingency plans of plant disease outbreaks in EU territory for priority pests.
- EU legal framework on contingency planning.
- Contingency planning: roles and responsibilities, chain of command.
- Simulation exercise and other preparedness activities.
- Action plans for priority pests.
Target audience
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
- All official staff of countries invited involved in development and implementation of plant disease outbreak contingency plans.
- All staff from national, regional, and local competent authorities directly involved in carrying out inspections and enforcing controls of plant health, including staff from laboratories.
- Staff of competent authorities involved in controls of imported products.
- Proficient in the English language
Calendar and locations
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31/01/2023 | 03/02/2023 | Madrid | Spain |
| 2 | 21/03/2023 | 24/03/2023 | Ljubljana | Slovenia |
| 3 | 18/04/2023 | 21/04/2023 | Bratislava | Slovakia |
| 4 | 23/05/2023 | 26/05/2023 | Tallinn | Estonia |
| 5 | 13/06/2023 | 16/06/2023 | Lisbon | Portugal |
| 6 | 26/09/2023 | 29/09/2023 | Ljubljana | Slovenia |
| 7 | 17/10/2023 | 20/10/2023 | Bratislava | Slovakia |
| 8 | 14/11/2023 | 17/11/2023 | Tallinn | Estonia |
| 9 | 11/12/2023 | 14/12/2023 | Athens | Greece |
| 10 | 2024 | 2024 | Athens | Greece |
| 11 | 2024 | 2024 | Madrid | Spain |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on
- improving preparedness and response planning for crisis situations through testing procedures in place at national (contingency plans) and EU level (e.g. the crisis general plan);
- ensuring coherence, interoperability and coordination between the local, national and EU level;
- ensuring interaction between Member States and with international partners concerned by using the appropriate channels;
- ensuring coordination between competent authorities and other stakeholders at national level;
- guaranteeing coordination of risk communication at local, national and EU level;
- improving preparedness to communication and decision-making challenges in crisis situations, such as e.g. deciding when to communicate, how to handle uncertainty when communicating and how to balance scientific assessments vs political evaluation, trade, economic impact, consumer confidence and public health.
Content
The course addresses the following topics:
01. Exercise Introduction : Background, Aims & Objectives
02. Crisis management coordination and response in the plant health sector: institutional and legal framework
03. General and specific contingency plans
04. IMSOC/EUROPHYT and multi-country outbreaks
05. Experience with Bursaphelenchus xylophilus outbreak
Simulation Exercise Injects
08. Recap on the simulation exercise (hot wash and elements of SimEx Report)
09. Exercise debrief: Lessons identified, actions required to ensure lessons learned (Improvement Plan)
Target audience
This Training Programme has been designed for the profiles and positions described below. Please verify compliance with the selection criteria before submitting or validating applications.
The training is addressed to officials from competent authorities involved in crisis preparedness and management (preferably at central and/or regional level) in the chosen field coming from Member States only, subject to Commission approval and who have committed to disseminating training material within their organisations.
Calendar and locations
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11/10/2022 | 13/10/2022 | Brussels | Belgium |
The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on
- To provide for a common understanding of the current state of play of suitable tools and approaches to address outbreaks of priority pests in the EU territory (application of key definitions and concepts);
- To assess and identify generic (and specific) eradication and containment measures;
- To give the opportunity to trainees to compare key elements of contingency plans and other preparedness elements elaborated by their respective Member States in order to identify and share best practices (e.g existing alert systems and communication tools);
- To share best practices of the structure of contingency plans and response to crisis situations in food safety and animal health sectors.
Content
The course addresses the following topics:
- Regulatory Framework (International and EU) for Contingency planning and pest eradication
- Generic and pest specific contingency plan, its structure, required information
- Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and required resources (e.g. for surveillance, eradication)
- Action plan, simulation exercises for different priority pests
- Eradication vs containment measures
- Notification and public awareness
Target audience
This Training Programme has been designed for Official staff of EU Member State authorities with both direct and indirect responsibilities to plant health. Participants would be expected to cascade the knowledge gathered during these specific training courses.
Calendar and locations
| Session | Start Date | End Date | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29/11/2021 | 02/12/2021 | BCN | SPAIN |
| 2 | 29/03/2022 | 01/04/2022 | VC | CANCELLED |
| 3 | 20/06/2022 | 24/06/2022 | - | ITALY |
