Risk analysis in animal health provides a scientifically structured framework for policy development and decision-making. The WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) require member countries to review existing scientifically based standards for the facilitation of trade and the prevention of disputes. An Expert Committee on Animal Health Risk Assessment was established by the Ministry of Agriculture of the P.R. China (MOA) in December 2007. The objective of this training is to achieve proficiency in basic skills in qualitative and quantitative risk analysis through case study and participatory learning.

This activity was organized by the LHESP and the China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center, Qingdao. The training was delivered by Dr. Gary Halbert and Dr. Randall Morley from the Animal Health Risk Analysis Science Advice Division, Science Strategies Directorate Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Qingdao on November 18-21, 2008. The format was lectures and interactive training. Topics focused on are as follow:

- Decisions made following risk assessments - Dr. Gary Halbert
- Dealing with uncertainty in risk assessments - Dr. Gary Halbert
- BSE related assessments- Dr. Gary Halbert
- Rendered products Disposal technologies - Dr. Gary Halbert
- Evaluation of Zoosanitary Status of Zones/Regions/Countries - Dr. Gary Halbert
- Animal Genetics Import Risk Analysis - Dr. Randal Morley
- Animal Product Import Risk Analysis - Dr. Randal Morley
- Statistical principles associated to the use of the software @RISK - Dr. Randal Morley
- Basic interactive training to achieve proficiency in the use of the software @RISK - Dr. Randal Morley

The outcome of this training was nineteen professionals from different provinces in China with proficiency in the basic concepts of risk analysis and with capacity to execute simple risk analysis using the @risk software. Also there are nine observers form the CAHEC with increased awareness about the CFIA methodologies to assess animal health risk in Canada.

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