Final Report Summary - PANDA (Permanent network to strengthen expertise on infectious diseases of aquaculture species and scientific advice to EU policy)
The PANDA project aimed to create a permanent network of experts in aquatic animal health to strengthen scientific knowledge and technical competencies regarding the most important exotic disease hazards and the methods to confront them in case of an incursion. The network was utilised to provide relevant advice to the European Commission so as to facilitate strategic decisions and support aquaculture and fish health policy formulation and implementation.
Project participants were from European and overseas origin. The adopted networking approach ensured that all interested parties could participate and contribute to the project outputs. The project website served as a database for members' details and facilitated communication and information dissemination.
PANDA was structured in distinct work packages (WPs) with the following objectives:
1. to coordinate and supervise the project and to establish the network of scientists, where all disciplines related to aquatic animal health were represented.
2. to identify the most significant exotic emerging disease hazards for the European Union, through risk analysis and a series of relevant workshops which established the necessary analysis platform.
3. to produce a database with the epidemiological characteristics of the major hazards and to develop surveillance and containment schemes. Data was recorded by pathogen and the database included hyperlinks to supporting information. In addition, data gaps were identified and potential additional functions, which were beyond the project scope of works, were pinpointed.
4. to assess the optimal diagnostic methods and provide recommendations for improvements, standardisation, validation and implementation throughout Europe. It was proven that there were sufficient diagnostic techniques for most cases; however, European laboratories were often not familiar with the existing diseases and the available tools.
5. to identify alternative options regarding optimal control techniques and policy and regulatory measures so as to ensure the application of environmentally safe control methods. Numerous recommendations were formulated as part of this WP.
6. to produce a database of training opportunities and define requirements that were not met by the already applied training schemes. The training focus areas referred to test methods, epidemiology and risk analysis and environmentally friendly disease control measures.
7. to disseminate the project findings and stimulate expertise exchange and discussions. Various activities were undertaken in this direction, with the project website development and maintenance being of major importance.
8. to manage the project consortium.
The established network offered the capacity to confront most, if not all, problems that were likely to emerge in the future; however continuous efforts for its maintenance and enrichment after PANDA completion were required. It was therefore highlighted that the mechanism which would allow for the future existence of the network was not yet established and actions in this direction should become a European priority.
Project participants were from European and overseas origin. The adopted networking approach ensured that all interested parties could participate and contribute to the project outputs. The project website served as a database for members' details and facilitated communication and information dissemination.
PANDA was structured in distinct work packages (WPs) with the following objectives:
1. to coordinate and supervise the project and to establish the network of scientists, where all disciplines related to aquatic animal health were represented.
2. to identify the most significant exotic emerging disease hazards for the European Union, through risk analysis and a series of relevant workshops which established the necessary analysis platform.
3. to produce a database with the epidemiological characteristics of the major hazards and to develop surveillance and containment schemes. Data was recorded by pathogen and the database included hyperlinks to supporting information. In addition, data gaps were identified and potential additional functions, which were beyond the project scope of works, were pinpointed.
4. to assess the optimal diagnostic methods and provide recommendations for improvements, standardisation, validation and implementation throughout Europe. It was proven that there were sufficient diagnostic techniques for most cases; however, European laboratories were often not familiar with the existing diseases and the available tools.
5. to identify alternative options regarding optimal control techniques and policy and regulatory measures so as to ensure the application of environmentally safe control methods. Numerous recommendations were formulated as part of this WP.
6. to produce a database of training opportunities and define requirements that were not met by the already applied training schemes. The training focus areas referred to test methods, epidemiology and risk analysis and environmentally friendly disease control measures.
7. to disseminate the project findings and stimulate expertise exchange and discussions. Various activities were undertaken in this direction, with the project website development and maintenance being of major importance.
8. to manage the project consortium.
The established network offered the capacity to confront most, if not all, problems that were likely to emerge in the future; however continuous efforts for its maintenance and enrichment after PANDA completion were required. It was therefore highlighted that the mechanism which would allow for the future existence of the network was not yet established and actions in this direction should become a European priority.
