FAO Biosecurity Toolkit

STDF Workshop on SPS Capacity Evaluation Tools

31st March 2008, Geneva

Roadmap

Introduction What is Biosecurity? Guide to Assess Biosecurity Capacity How the guide is being used by FAO Benefits of applying the guide in Bhutan

IntroductionBiosecurity is emerging as one of the most

pressing issues of global importance

Globalization Increased movement of people, agricultural and food

products across borders Emergence and spread of transboundary diseases New agricultural production and processing

technologies Greater attention to biodiversity, sustainable

agriculture and environment Growing membership of World Trade Organization Increased public awareness about sanitary and

phytosanitary (SPS) issues

Introduction Move to enhance coordination among national bodies

(SPS measures) Some countries adopted an integrated approach to

biosecurity (New Zealand, Belize, Norway, Canada, Finland)

Most countries still managing biosecurity along traditional sector-oriented lines

– lack of strategic focus, inefficient use of scarce resources and less optimal result

FAO developed Biosecurity Toolkit - guidance and tools to assist developing countries in adopting more coherent and holistic approach to biosecurity

FAO Biosecurity Toolkit Practical guidance and

support to develop and implement national biosecurity framework

Framework to identify cross-cutting biosecurity capacity needs to address gaps inherent in a purely sectoral approach

Presents benefits of a harmonized and integrated approach to biosecurity

Part 1: Biosecurity

Principles and

Components

Part 2: Guide to Assess

Biosecurity Capacity

Part 3: Overview and

Framework Manual for

Biosecurity Risk

Analysis

What is biosecurity?

A strategic and integrated approach that encompasses policy and regulatory framework for analyzing and managing relevant risks to human, animal and plant life and health, and associated risks to the environment

Biosecurity – a new concept?

nono

National programmes are already in place to prevent, control and manage sectoral risks to life and health (food safety, animal health, plant health, protection of environment, etc.)

butbut

A cross-cutting and strategic approach that takes advantage of linkages and synergies across sectors is new

Changing approaches to biosecurity

Fragmented

Integrated

• Limited attention to interdisciplinary and cross-cutting issues

• Contradictions, duplication and gaps in policies, laws, etc.

• Lack of strategic focus

• Inefficient use of available resources

• Sectors collaborate towards common goals

• Harmonization of policies, laws and regulations

• Joint priority-setting, resource allocation, monitoring, etc.

• Improved ability to achieve mandates

Rationale Convergence of human,

animal and plant and environmental health issues

Existence of hazards/diseases with potential to move across sectors

Breakdown in security at one point in the chain can have consequences for the rest of the food chain

Guide to Assess Biosecurity Capacity

Step-by-step guidance to:

assess cross-cutting biosecurity capacity needs

pinpoint areas for improvement

identify means to achieve future goals

formulate biosecurity strategies and capacity building action plans

Biosecurity capacity

… the ability of relevant organizations to perform functions effectively, efficiently and sustainably in order to:

protect human, animal and plant life and health

protect associated aspects of the environment and contribute to its sustainable use

What does biosecurity capacity encompass?

Policies

Legislation – laws and regulations

Organizational arrangements

Communication and information exchange

Sector organizations with capability to deliver core biosecurity functions (e.g. inspection, diagnostic services, quarantine, etc.)

How does the Guide work? Promotes an interdisciplinary and participatory

approach

Focuses on cross-sectoral functions

Complements sector assessment tools

Offers a process rather than a solution

Presents country examples and reviews various options to strengthen capacity

Provides practical tips and suggestions to support use

Process - 7 stepsStep 1: Obtain high level support

Step 2: Agree on purpose, scope, process

Step 3: Profile biosecurity context

Step 4: Assess existing biosecurity capacity

Step 5: Develop a shared vision of desired future biosecurity

Step 6: Identify capacity needs

Step 7: Generate options to address them

Getting started

Step 1: Obtain high-level support

- Biosecurity cuts across different agencies

- Need to convince policy and decision-makers

- Essential to establish biosecurity as a national

priority and ensure cross-sectoral collaboration and participation

Step 2: Agree on the purpose, scope and process

- Ensure transparency about why the assessment is being carried out and reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings

- Make best use of available resources (human, financial, time)

Situation analysis

Step 3: Profile the biosecurity context at the country level

Examine the context for biosecurity at the national level

Biosecurity issues, general needs, prevailing challenges and opportunities

Influenced by geography, environment, climate, economy system, trade, borders, etc

Context shape biosecurity goals, programmes and activities

Situation analysisStep 4: Assess existing biosecurity capacity

Examine current situation of biosecurity capacity and performance –identify strengths and weakness

Ensure capacity building activities are tailored to country conditions

Provide broad framework focus on:

- overall biosecurity system (policy, legal, regulatory, organizational arrangements)

- Delivery and performance of core functions

- Linkages and interdependencies across sector

Developing shared vision of the desired future

Step 5: Describe the desired future situation of biosecurity

Developing vision and goals What outcomes are expected of the biosecurity system? How should biosecurity outcomes be enhanced in the

future? What would the biosecurity system achieve as a whole if

it worked effectively and maximized potential cross-sectoral gains?

Identifying capacity needs and options to address them

Step 6: Identify capacity needed to reach desired future

Step 7: Generate options to address identified needs Several options available (far-reaching to more conventional,

incremental change) Different options suit different countries Some options can be pursued simultaneously Deciding on most appropriate options leads to capacity building

strategy and action plan

The Present The Futurewhat is needed?

Examples of options

Biosecurity policy framework

Harmonize sector policies

Formulate new biosecurity policy

Adopt a regional approach to policy formulation

Legal framework for biosecurity

Harmonize existing sector legislation

Draft a new biosecurity law

Examples of options (cont.)

Institutional framework Improve coordination between agencies involved

Identify lead agency for biosecurity

Create a new biosecurity agency

Delivery of core functions Involve third parties in delivery of services

Apply cost-recovery model

Used shared infrastructure

Develop shared training programmes, etc.

How the Guide is being used -FAO

Assess biosecurity capacity needs under the FAO/Norway Cooperation Programme

Facilitate national stakeholder workshops on an integrated biosecurity approach

As a resource for training

Support project formulation (FAO, STDF)

How the Guide is being used -FAO

Biosecurity need assessment has been carried out in Nepal, Bhutan, Panama and Haiti

STDF funded project in Nepal - focus on HRD

Develop National Action Plan, Biosecurity Policy and country situation report for Bhutan

Training of Trainers workshops on Biosecurity

Santiago, Chile

9-11 May 2007

22 Participants from 10 countries

Accra, Ghana

30 May - 1 June 2007

27 Participants from15 countries

Bangkok, Thailand

28-30 May 2007

31 Participants from 16 countries

Rome, Italy

22-25 January 2008

21 Participants from 14 countries

Feedback -ToT Workshops Integrated approach to biosecurity is relatively

new but important There is overlapping and duplication in roles and

responsibilities among biosecurity sectors Need to create awareness on the concept in order

to enhance coordination and collaboration The toolkit is comprehensive, systematic, relevant

and very practical Need for carrying out assessment of biosecurity

using the guide Seek assistance from FAO to carry out biosecurity

capacity assessment.

Application of the Toolkit in Bhutan

Bhutan has adopted integrated approach to Biosecurity with establishment of Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) in 2000

Designated BAFRA as regulatory authority for food safety, animal and plant health including biosafety

Benefits of Integrated Approach

Strong organizational structure

- all core biosecurity measures administered under single agency - fast and effective means of information exchange, synergies for effective administration and improved coordination of cross-sectoral issues

Balanced policy & decision making processes - through the Management Board of BAFRA,

Effective utilization of resources amongst various divisions within BAFRA (quarantine, inspection, internal quarantine, food safety assessment and border controls)

One-stop shop for processing all permits and certificate

Benefits of FAO Biosecurity Guide No assessment of biosecurity capacity was carried out since

BAFRA was established

Created awareness on importance of adopting integrated approach to biosecurity - National Stakeholders Workshop held in April 2007

Application of FAO Biosecurity Toolkit proved very practical and useful

A systematic and objective assessment of the Biosecurity capacity needs was done – lead agency as well as stakeholder agencies

Develop biosecurity capacity building action plan

Developed Biosecurity Policy

Developing an Action Plan

Methodology Interviews with concerned stakeholders

National stakeholders workshop held in April 2007

Drafted on basis of gaps between current situation and vision of improved biosecurity capacity

Focuses on needs that cut across the various biosecurity sectors and at different levels

Many of these needs concern BAFRA as the regulatory authority for food safety, animal and plant health, and biosafety

Developing a Biosecurity Policy

Reasons:Reasons:

- Changing political scenario – introduction of - Changing political scenario – introduction of Parliamentary Democracy Parliamentary Democracy

- formalize the integrated approach to - formalize the integrated approach to biosecuritybiosecurity

- formalize already existing legal and - formalize already existing legal and institutional arrangements – lead agency model institutional arrangements – lead agency model with BAFRA as the competent authoritywith BAFRA as the competent authority

- develop shared vision and desired future - develop shared vision and desired future biosecurity systembiosecurity system

Developing a Biosecurity Policy

MethodologyMethodology

National Stakeholder National Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on Consultative Workshop on Development of National Development of National Biosecurity Policy Biosecurity Policy

- 43 representatives (public, 43 representatives (public, private sectors and BAFRA)private sectors and BAFRA)

- Presented to the Management Presented to the Management Board for endorsement and Board for endorsement and submitted for govt. approval submitted for govt. approval

Benefits of Applying the Guide

Greater awareness among stakeholders on integrated approach to biosecurity

Developed Biosecurity Policy for Bhutan

- Political and high-level support for biosecurity activities- Political and high-level support for biosecurity activities

- framework for improved collaboration among sector agencies- framework for improved collaboration among sector agencies

- formalize already existing legal and institutional - formalize already existing legal and institutional arrangementsarrangements

Developed National Action Plan

- Clearly identified future goals, needs/gaps and priorities- Clearly identified future goals, needs/gaps and priorities

- greater opportunity to compete for govt. budget allocation- greater opportunity to compete for govt. budget allocation

Country situation report

- basis for project proposal to be presented to prospective basis for project proposal to be presented to prospective donorsdonors

Thank You!