CONTINGENCY PLANNING - PLANTS

The overall objectives of the BTSF Training Programme/Course on Inter-sectoral simulation exercises on crisis management coordination in Plant Health are to prepare, hold and evaluate inter-sectorial table top simulation exercises on outbreak coordination and crisis response involving agri-food chain authorities, and where needed, public health authorities, as well as crisis coordinators:

• 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.