Approximately every 3-5 years, there is a new disease emerging and there is a long time lapse from the time that a disease or mortality event is first observed in the field, until the causative agent is confirmed, communicated nationally or through OIE, up to the time when a vaccine or cost-effective containment measures are put in place. While these events are happening, significant production and market losses are incurred affecting livelihoods, export earnings and food supply. The cost would have been much less if efforts were focused on prevention compared to the costs for biosecurity measures, compensation and other alternatives.
The Progressive Management Pathway for improving aquaculture biosecurity (PMP/AB), a new initiative, refers to a pathway aimed at enhancing aquaculture biosecurity by building on existing frameworks, capacity and appropriate tools using risk-based approaches and public-private partnerships. It is an extension of the Progressive Control Pathway (PCP). The PMP/AB is expected to result in sustainable:
The presentation provides information on: (i) the processes taken in the development of the PMP/AB that included an understanding and analysis of the factors, drivers and pathways to aquatic animal disease emergence; (ii) the four stages of the PMP/AB and key considerations at each stage; (iii) the benefits of PMP/AB; (iv) the entry points for countries; and (v) and the way forward for PMP/AB.