1. FAO Biosecurity Toolkit
STDF Workshop on SPS Capacity Evaluation Tools
31st March 2008, Geneva

2. 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

3. Introduction Biosecurity 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Biosecurity – a new concept?no
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.)
but
A cross-cutting and strategic approach that takes advantage of linkages and synergies across sectors is new

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.)

13. 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

14. Process - 7 steps Step 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. Situation analysis Step 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

18. 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?

19. 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 Future
what is needed?

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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)

23. 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

24. Training of Trainers workshops on Biosecurity
Rome, Italy
22-25 January 2008
21 Participants from 14 countries
Bangkok, Thailand
28-30 May 2007
31 Participants from 16 countries
Accra, Ghana
30 May - 1 June 2007
27 Participants from 15 countries
Santiago, Chile
9-11 May 2007
22 Participants from 10 countries

25. 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.

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. Developing a Biosecurity Policy
Reasons:
- Changing political scenario – introduction of Parliamentary Democracy
- formalize the integrated approach to biosecurity
- formalize already existing legal and institutional arrangements – lead agency model with BAFRA as the competent authority
- develop shared vision and desired future biosecurity system

31. Developing a Biosecurity Policy
Methodology
National Stakeholder Consultative Workshop on Development of National Biosecurity Policy
43 representatives (public, private sectors and BAFRA)
Presented to the Management Board for endorsement and submitted for govt. approval

32. 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
- framework for improved collaboration among sector agencies
- formalize already existing legal and institutional arrangements
Developed National Action Plan
- Clearly identified future goals, needs/gaps and priorities
- greater opportunity to compete for govt. budget allocation
Country situation report
- basis for project proposal to be presented to prospective donors

33. Thank You!