This document sets out the aims, logistics, and strategies used in the workshop as well as the workshop program. The links on topics are to full presentations or abstracts given by invited speakers. Most speakers were asked to give a short presentation to set out the key issues of the topic to be considered.

The links on the workshop topics will take you to the recommendations developed during that session.

First draft of recommendations available for download as RTF file (120kb). Comments welcome!

AIMS of WORKSHOP

1. To develop a set of recommendations for governmental bodies, non-governmental organisations and individuals to lessen the risks of disease to wild amphibian populations, including proposing a standard protocol for quarantine and for testing of adults and tadpoles prior to release.
2. The recommendations to be based on best available evidence and to be feasible
3. To produce a document by 30 September containing these recommendations.
4. To make this document available to all.

1. Facilitated discussion is the main activity during the workshop
2. Speakers will be used to illustrate key issues to be addressed
3. Speakers will speak for only 10 minutes maximum
4. Speakers will be by invitation only
5. A person from the Core Working Group will record key points raised during discussion and write these on overhead projector sheets

1. Focus is on producing a set of recommendations for government, non-government organisations and individuals generated from best available data and that are liable to reduce the risks of disease to amphibian populations, are feasible and cost effective.
2. Major topics to be addressed will be:

• International issues
• National issues
• Regional issues
• Labs and amphibian husbandry
• Education / information
• Role of the community

DOMAINS

Discussion of the questions in these topics may be looked at across 5 domains where relevant: improving the evidence base, capacity building, sustainability, policy and legislation, community strategies and action.

To lessen the risks of disease to wild amphibians what needs to be done in the following domains:

1. Improving the evidence base
• What additional research facts are needed?
• How can they be obtained in a cost-effective manner?
• What data needs to be collected over the next 5 years?
• How can the data be best disseminated to those that need it?
2. Capacity building
• What skills need to be developed?
• Who needs to have these skills?
• How will they be developed?
• What infrastructure needs to be established?
• Where?
• How can it be sustained?
3. Policy and legislation
• What role can legislation play?
• Is the current legislative structure adequate?
• What changes in legislation need to be made?
• What changes are feasible?
• What role can policy play?
• What changes in policy need to be made?
• What changes are feasible?
4. Community action
• What can the community do?
• How can the actions of the community be made more effective?
• What needs to be done to sustain community participation?
5. Sustainability
• What processes / infrastructure need to be sustained?
• How can this be done?
• How can data be distributed in an ongoing and systematic way to those who should know?

PROGRAM

Monday 28 August