Aquaculture Biosecurity Conference 2009 Now Open for Registration
The International Aquaculture Biosecurity Conference (IABC), scheduled for 17-19 August 2009 in Trondheim, Norway has opened its web page (www.iabconference.org) for registration and abstract submission.
The IABC is an international forum on current and future aquatic biosecurity practices for prevention, control, and eradication of diseases. Aquaculture producers, veterinarians, and government officials will convene in Trondheim to share opinions about practical approaches to biosecurity, just prior to the start of AquaNor, one of world’s largest aquaculture trade shows.
Dr. James Roth, IABC co-chair and Director of Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University emphasized that “Aquaculture production has seen rapid growth and become a significant part of global animal agriculture in the recent years, but disease-related problems are becoming a significant threat to international trade and seafood safety.”
Dr. Roar Gudding, IABC co-chair and Director of the Norwegian National Veterinary Institute said “The greatest obstacle to sustainable aquaculture development is spread of aquatic animal diseases. The goal of the International Aquaculture Biosecurity Conference is to provide expert opinions and tools for implementing practical, economic, and effective biosecurity plans to control and potentially eliminate disease impacts on the industry.”
“Internationally-recognized speakers will spend two days with the conference attendees delivering a series of presentations and participating in round table discussions on the economic impacts of diseases and biosecurity programs, the components of ideal biosecurity plans, and development of international and national strategies,” said Dr. Chris Walster, Secretary of World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association and private aquatic veterinary practitioner from U.K.
Dr. Dušan Palic of the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine said, ”With increased occurrences of aquatic animal disease outbreaks worldwide, the IABC provides an interface of producers, health professionals and governments addressing timely topics such as identifying and prioritizing hazardous diseases, determining critical control points, epidemiology, surveillance and monitoring, and most importantly, implementing and certifying biosecurity programs at all levels.”
Dr. David Scarfe of the American Veterinary Medical Association, voiced the opinion of the entire IABC executive board in saying, “We believe the conference will help set a solid framework for the development and implementation of biosecurity plans at all levels of aquaculture. It is our intention to develop practical and effective tools to assist in the prevention, control and possible eradication of many priority diseases. A good start in this endeavor is to outline and discuss the potential for industry-government cost-sharing programs related to biosecurity.”
“We expect to welcome participants from aquatic veterinary organizations, aquaculture producers and industry organizations, government agencies, standard setting bodies, academic institutions and aquaculture related industries,” said Dr. Torkjel Bruheim of National Veterinary Institute in Trondheim. “August is a great time to visit the west coast of Norway, and the Conference attendees will have numerous opportunities to engage in professional as well as leisure activities while in Trondheim. The IABC will organize a visit to nearby fish farms, and thousands of visitors involved in the business of aquaculture will be at the AquaNor, providing many opportunities for networking.”
The Conference is organized by the Norwegian National Veterinary Institute, the Center for Food Security and Public Health and the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Norwegian Veterinary Association, the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, and the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association.
Conference sponsors currently include the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, the Norwegian National Veterinary Institute, the Research Council of Norway, the Norwegian Veterinary Association, AquaNor, the OIE, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Center for Food Security and Public Health, Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health, Novartis Animal Health, Europharma, Pharmaq, and the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association.
Register or to submit an abstract
For more information, contact the IAB Conference Secretariat at: iabcsec@iastate.edu
