2454 final report.pdf - Agra CEAS Consulting

Evaluation of the Community Plant Health Regime: Final Report
DG SANCO Evaluation Framework Contract Lot 3 (Food Chain)
Recommendation 11:
To enhance the diagnostic capacity in this sector in the EU, it is recommended to complete the
establishment of NRLs in MS and to establish EU-RLs for a limited number of HOs. Longer term,
EU-RLs could be established for each of the disciplines (nematology, entomology, acarology,
mycology, bacteriology, virology), and subset of disciplines.
5.8.3 Training
EQ18 (area G) of the ToR asks how the CPHR requirements for appropriate training of MR plant
health inspectors and diagnosticians can be improved.
The evaluation has found considerable budgetary constraints in the provision of such training at MS
level and the need to provide more harmonised training at EU level. The appropriate tool for this is the
BTSF programme, which started in this sector in 2008 and has so far provided training mainly to plant
health inspectors. The evaluation has identified the need to continue this training activity in the plant
health sector and to intensify efforts by extending the training also to experts in the diagnostics field.
Recommendation 12:
It is recommended to continue and strengthen training activity in the plant health sector for
inspectors and to intensify efforts by extending the training also to experts in the diagnostics field.
5.8.4 EU/MS Emergency Team
This option was discussed under section 5.4, as the minimum action recommended (at a relatively low
cost) for improving EU emergency preparedness.
Shortcomings in reaction to outbreaks and in the design of measures were identified in the course of the
evaluation. In particular, MS repeatedly advocated the need for quick adoption of measures in case of
outbreaks, both in terms of decision-making and actions to be undertaken by CAs for eradication. In
particular, MS would like to have more technical assistance and coordination in case eradication plans
are put in place, as well as a faster adoption of EU level measures following particular emergency
situation (regulatory capacity to address emerged risk situations). With regard to technical assistance,
MS also commented that there should be a mechanism to evaluate the action taken (e.g. eradication
measures) before or right after the adoption, instead of having an assessment one year later. Also, in
this context, it is commented that FVO‘s inspections take place generally too late, and they are rather
focusing on fulfilment of legislation, than providing guidance on measures. Furthermore, some MS
suggest the need for on-the spot evaluation by the Commission, spelling out the duties of CAs in cases
of outbreaks. These suggestions point in the direction of an ad-hoc taskforce within DG SANCO, to
deal with emergency situations.
Drawing a useful parallel with the Animal Health area, it is noted that in this field such a taskforce
exists in the form of a Veterinary Emergency Team, whose operation is coordinated by DG SANCO
but it is made up by a network of experts from MS, who are consulted in case of emergencies. The
Food Chain Evaluation Consortium 375