Objectives:

• To train/certify official veterinarians/animal health technicians/laboratory technicians on the packaging and shipping laboratory specimens in compliance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.
• Provide shipping boxes for the submission of samples to reference laboratories.

Description: 

• A CD based training is available from “Saf-T-Pack” in English, Spanish and French.
• Each CD can be used to train a maximum of six users. 
• Each country will receive at least one CD with the training module and shipping boxes, secondary containers,  ice packs. Once training is completed, the CVO (supervisor) will sign training certificates. 
• Training will be complemented with additional information on:
  • Procedures to deliver samples to reference/regional laboratories (ex. CIRAD-Guadeloupe, NVSL-Ames, NVSL-FADDL, etc.).
  • Reference materials
  • If possible (for countries interested in training large groups ex. Trinidad and Tobago, DR, Haiti) CIRAD and/or USDA “trainers” will travel to those countries to conduct a one-day-workshop.
  • Interested countries might participate in ‘simulation exercises on sample packing and delivery to reference/regional laboratories” organized by CIRAD and or USDA.

                                                    

• FIRST TRAINING

  • The first training took place in June 20, 2008 during the first meeting held for the VEP program in Santo Domingo DR. 
  • VEPs were trained using a USDA-Training IATA CD.  In total fourteen people completed the training (10 VEPs and  the rest were CVOs and other officials)
  • The following VEPs completed the training:
  1. Vicki Aimey   - Barbados
  2. Tracey Challenger – St. Kitts
  3. Lesroy Henry- St. Kitts
  4. Derek Thomas - Grenada
  5. Rodney Jacques Simon- Haiti
  6. Auria King-Cenac – St. Lucia
  7. Patricia Bartlette-Powell - Nevis
  8. Malaika Glasgow – St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  9. Wendy González – Dominican Republic
  10. Dr. Lennox ST. Aimee- Dominica

   

  SECOND TRAINING

  • Training on IATA regulation was conducted using the Compliance Training CD "Shipping Division 6.2 Dangerous Goods, Biological Substances, GMOs and Dry Ice", from Saf-T-Pack™.  The training module was available in English, Spanish and French.
  • The topics included in the training module included, among others, international regulations, shippers and carrier responsibilities, classification of infectious substances, correct packaging, labeling and documentation and emergency response procedures. 
  • The CD and Reference Training Manuals were purchased by USDA-APHIS and delivered to 26 countries/territories of the Caribbean (between July 2010-Nov. 2010).  The participants completed the training by December 2010 in each of their respective countries.
  • Fifty four (54) officials completed the CD-based training in the Caribbean
  • All the VEPS completed the training by the end of December 2010.

   

   

   In addition, sample boxes were purchased and delivered to 21 countries (see chart).    All VEP countries received boxes.

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