In order to have contingency planning recognized as an important core function of government services and to have adequate funding and other resources allocated to these activities, the Responsible Authority should ensure the support of, and participation by, all stakeholders. These include the relevant minister and senior ministry officials, other government departments and agencies (including national economic development planning authorities), farming and fishing communities and organizations, seafood marketing authorities, processors, traders and exporters (see Box 1). The importance of including private-sector stakeholders in planning for disease emergencies is stressed by Fegan (2005) - farm observations and rapid reporting are essential for early detection, which optimizes the probability of a successful response. A diagram showing the typical direct private-sector stakeholders in aquaculture is presented in Figure 2.
The key stakeholders are the government representing the wider community and the farming and fishing communities who are directly affected by emergency diseases. In presenting a strong case for support for emergency preparedness planning, the identified disease risks should be described together with the potential socio-economic consequences of an incursion of the disease. Additionally, the benefits that will result from more rapid containment and eradication of an emergency disease outbreak through preparedness should be forcefully presented.
| BOX 1 |
| Examples of key stakeholders who should participate in national preparedness for a disease emergency |
|
FIGURE 2
Typical network of direct stakeholders in aquaculture (Fegan, 2005)
The case should preferably be strengthened by a formal socio-economic cost-benefit analysis.
