Balkan Countries in Teramo for CAPS2 project

The CAPS2 project, titled "Strengthening of Centres for Aquaculture production and Safety surveillance in Adriatic Cross-border Countries" kicked off on the 12^th and 13^th December 2012, in the "Miami" conference hall at the Sporting Hotel in Teramo, Italy.

This project is an extension of CAPS1, which aim was to create an aquaculture safety center in Split (Croatia). A fruitful collaboration between the Croatian Veterinary Institute and the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale" (IZSAM) was established, aiming at the control of risks related to the consumption of shellfish and seafood products in both Countries.

The CAPS2 project is funded by the European Union with 3 million Euros and will last three years.CAPS2 will be based on the same principles of CAPS1, considering in addition the new risks associated to chemical and microbiological contamination and involving most of the Countries overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Therefore, the Balkan Countries, as Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania, will have the opportunity to adapt and integrate their equipment and laboratory capacity, and to create a permanent network.

The collaboration among participating Countries is based on resources and knowledge exchange and sharing. The common goal is the achievement of an homogeneous and integrated surveillance policy on shellfish and farm fish health and safety in the Adriatic Area, that is consistent with the EU legislation.

The consumption of shellfish has always been a critical point in human food supply, which implies significant efforts from the point of view of equipment and human resources. In this context, the IZSAM, as project partner in CAPS2, will provide relevant training on analytical methods and wide spread implementation of information and georeferencing technology via web (GIS), supplying qualified and innovative technical advice and assistance. The Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale" has been involved in Aquaculture knowledge for more than twenty years.