The Working group meetings on pathology and nutrition were held in the National Aquaculture Centre, in Marsaxlokk, Malta, from 22 to 23 February 1994, as a follow up to the recommendations of the MEDRAP Steering Committee meeting (Byblos, Lebanon 3–5 november 1993)
The meeting was opened by Prof. Carmelo Agius, the National coordinator of Malta who is also the responsable of the focal point on pathology which is implemented in Malta. He welcomed all participants and introduced the meetings agendas.
The two working groups were then jointly addressed by the Hon. Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Malta, Mr. Lawrence Gatt.
Mr. Belkhir M., the representative of MEDRAP responded to the Minister's speech on behalf of Mr. H. Akrout, the Project Coordinator, and made a brief resume of the background of the meetings, highlighted the future MEDRAP organisation and strategy.
The officials of the meetings were elected as follows:
| • | Pathology working group metting: | ||||
| - | Chairman | : | Mr. C. Agius | (Malta) | |
| - | Rapporteur | : | Mr. R. H. Richards | (Scotland) | |
| • | Nutrition working group meeting: | ||||
| - | Chairman | : | Mr. E. Gomes | (Portugal) | |
| - | Rapporteurs | : | Mr. A. Tacon | (FAO - Rome) | |
| Mr. M. Belkhir | (MEDRAP) | ||||
Before to split into two groups Mr. Belkhir gave a brief introduction of the TECAM Network and reminded that the Network is a long term aim and invited the experts to help in the conception and the elaboration of concrete proposals which should focus on collaborative research (diagnosis/analytical) works, advanced training courses, workshops, guidelines that will favour an efficient functionning of the network. He stressed the participants to elaborate realistic proposals of activities on pathology and nutrition to be suggested for consideration in TECAM network and for adoption by the MEDRAP-CIHEAM working group meeting to be held in Saragossa, on June 1994.
In the general discussion that followed, it was stressed to update and disseminate available information on pathology and nutrition through the SIPAM. Network and its newsletter.
Prioritized activities for TECAM networks programme during the 1995 and onwards were elaborated and presented herewith in two reports as follows:
- proposals of Pathology activities for 1995 and onwards;
- proposals of Nutrition activities for 1995 and onwards.
The MEDRAP representative, on behalf of all participants thanked the authorities of Malta for hosting the two meetings and sharing their organisation fees. He expressed his gratitude for Prof. C. Agius and all the experts for their active and positive contribution.
The meetings were adjourned at 19:00 pm, February 23, 1994.
