Feedback from Member States and stakeholders show that there is a need for training on diseases affecting bees and exotic zoo animals. Training has thus been launched in these areas in 2010 in order to convey a common and unambiguous understanding of the current situation concerning certain diseases and related EU legislation. The training should also better equip veterinary services to protect the EU against the occurrence of diseases affecting bees and exotic zoo animals.

Who has been awarded the contract for arranging the workshops?

The Euro Consultants-JVL-BSI Consortium, for further information please visit: http://www.btsftrainings.euroconsultants.be.

At whom is the training aimed?

The course is mainly for competent authority animal health control staff of EU Member States and candidate countries. Places are also available for competent authority staff from European Free Trade Association, European Neighbourhood Policy and selected third countries. Each workshop caters for about 40 participants.

How do I participate?

Anyone interested in taking part in training should contact their relevant national competent authority. The national competent authority proposes participants to the Better Training for Safer Food National Contact Point, who sends the list of participants to the contractor. The contractor submits the list to the Commission for approval. The list of Better Training for Safer Food National Contact Points can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/training_strategy/participants/ms_contact_points_en.htm.

How many events are taking place?

Six three-day training sessions are planned. Of these, four cover bee diseases and two cover diseases affecting exotic animals destined for EU zoos and approval procedures.

What activities are planned?

• All workshops should include presentations supported by study cases with time reserved for questions and discussion.
• Workshops on bee diseases will include half-day field trips to beehives to present practical elements of inspection and sampling.
• Half-day field trips for workshops on diseases affecting exotic zoo animals will be organised to zoos.

What topics are covered?

The main topics to be covered during workshops on bees include:

• EU legislation relevant to honey and bumble bees;
• Pathogen and disease description;
• Monitoring, planning and appropriate resources;
• Inspection and sampling of hives;
• Measures to be taken in the event of outbreaks;
• Traceability and follow-up checks;
• Notifications at internal and EU level, information and experience exchange;
• Planning and conducting of bee import controls.

• Relevant EU legislation;
• Procedure for the approval of bodies, institutes and centres;
• Measures following import of new animals from third countries;
• Measures for movement of animals between approved, bodies, institutes and centres in the EU and movements from non-approved to approved establishments;
• Quarantine procedures upon introduction of animals into approved zoos;
• Internal and EU level notifications, information and experience exchange.

When and where are the events taking place?

• 3-7 May 2010, bees, Prague,
• 6-9 July 2010, bees, Prague,
• 23-27 November 2010, zoo animals, Berlin,
• 22-25 March 2011, zoo animals, Berlin,
• 10-13 May 2011, bees, Prague,
• 6-10 September 2011, bees, Prague.