Environmental Assessment and Management Plan. for the

Transcription

1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental Assessment and Management Plan for the E1460 Albania Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project Tirana, 28 July, 2006

2 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AI AITF EA EMP EAMP EIA FAO GDP GPAI HPAI IDA ILI IPH ISDS IVR MoAFCP MoEFWA MoH MoI NIL NRL NVEU OIE PAD PMU PPE REA TF UNICEF USAID WAHIS WB WHO WRMP Avian Influenza Avian Influenza Task Force Environmental Assessment Environmental Management Plan Environmental Assessment and Management Plan Environmental Impact Assessment Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Gross Domestic Product Global Program on Avian Influenza Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu International Development Agency Influenza-like Illness Institute of Public Health Integrated Safeguards Datasheet Institute of Veterinary Research Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration Ministry of Health Ministry of Interior National Influenza Laboratory National Reference Laboratory National Veterinary Epidemiological Unit World Organization for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties) Project Appraisal Document Project Management Unit Personal Protection Equipment Regional Environmental Agency Task Force United Nations International Children s Fund United States Agency for International Development World Animal Health Information System World Bank World Health Organization Water Resource Management Project 2

3 Table of Contents Executive Summary Part One: Project overview and Environmental Policy context I. Global, regional and national sector issues (a) Introduction (b) Socioeconomic Context (c) Key Issues (d) The regional dimension (e) The national dimension II. III. IV. Project Development Objective and Project Components Policy context (a) IDA/IBRD Safeguards Policy (b) Albanian Legislation (c) International Conventions and Agreements (d) WHO and FAO/OIE Guidelines Territorial coverage of the Project Part Two: Environmental Assessment and Management Plan V. Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures by Component VI. Monitoring VII. Institutional Arrangements and Budget VIII. Public Consultation Arrangements Annex 1: FAO/OIE AI Strategy Annex 2: WHO AI Strategy Annex 3: Bio-Safety Level Requirements Annex 4: International Best Practice in Safety of Research Laboratories Annex 5-A: Mitigation Plan for Carcass and Waste Material Disposal by Burial Annex 5-B-1: Mitigation Plan for Bird Carcass and Waste Material Disposal by Incineration (Mobile) Annex 5-B-2: Mitigation Plan for Disposal of infected materials from labs and hospitals by Incineration (Fixed) Annex 5-C: Mitigation Plan for Laboratory Safety and Waste Management Annex 5-D: Mitigation Plan for reconstruction work of reference laboratories and isolations rooms at regional hospitals Annex 6-A: Monitoring Plan for Carcass and Waste Material Disposal by Burial Annex 6-B-1: Monitoring Plan for Bird Carcass and Waste Material Disposal by Incineration (Mobile) Annex 6-B-2: Monitoring Plan for Disposal of infected materials from labs and hospitals by Incineration (Fixed) Annex 6-C: Monitoring Plan for Laboratory Safety and Waste Management Annex 6-D: Monitoring Plan for reconstruction work of reference laboratories and isolations rooms at regional hospitals Annex 7: Map of High-Risk Areas for AI in Albania Annex 8: Consultation with relevant stakeholders and public briefing 3

4 Executive Summary This is an Environmental Assessment and Management Plan (EAMP) of the Albania s Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project, prepared in compliance with the World Bank EA requirements on projects proposed for Bank financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound and sustainable, and thus improve decision making (OP 4.01, January 1999). The Bank favors preventive measures over mitigatory or compensatory ones, whenever possible and feasible. The Albania Avian Influenza (AI) Project has been assigned World Bank environmental category B, since it involves moderate environmental impacts that can be managed during implementation of the project. Although project activities supporting AI prevention, preparedness and planning, and response and containment are not expected to generate significant adverse environmental effects, they do present a moderate environmental risk from inadvertent spread of the AI virus and waste management. Overall the AI prevention and response-focused activities are expected to have a positive environmental impact, as the investments in facilities, equipment, and training for veterinary and public health service staff and laboratories will improve the effectiveness and safety over existing avian influenza handling and testing procedures by meeting international standards established by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This would be reinforced by the mainstreaming of environmental safeguards into protocols and procedures for the culling and disposal of animals during AI outbreaks. The environmental assessment and management plan of the Albania AI project is organized in two parts: part one provides a project overview and an assessment of environmental policy context of the project, while part two, environmental assessment and management plan, deals specifically with (i) environmental impact assessment by project components, (ii) proposed measures to mitigate those impacts, and (iii) how to monitor them. The first Part of this document briefly describes and assesses the global, regional and national dimension of the AI project, socio-economical context and key issues related to Avian influenza. It also provides with a short description of the AI project development objective and project components, and assesses policy context under which the AI project and its Environmental Management Plan are developed. The policy context includes IDA/IBRD Safeguards Policy, Albanian Legislation, International Conventions and Agreements and WHO and FAO/OIE Guidelines. In particular it has references to all relevant laws and regulations included in the Albanian legislation related to AI prevention, control and response activities. According to the national legislation, the Albania AI project is classified as Annex 2 project, as the proposed project activities and measures are not expected to generate significant adverse environmental effects. Thus, this Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is prepared in line with national and international laws and regulations and ensures that all environmental requirements and 4

5 obligations are taken into consideration throughout the project design and implementation. The part two or environmental management plan deals with environmental impacts of the proposed project components and activities, with special focus on moderate adverse environmental effects of the Animal and Human Health Components, and how to minimize or mitigate them. For the Animal component, the EMP addresses zoonotic disease containment and waste management as pertain to disposal of special waste, emissions and materials at laboratories, and training for veterinary services workers, to include procedures for safe handling of AI materials, safe culling of infected and at-risk poultry and disposal of carcasses. For the Human Health component, the EMP focuses on equipment, refurbishing and training for reference and regional diagnostic laboratories to include key environmental issues in zoonotic disease containment and waste management. The EMP provides mitigation plans and monitoring plans for: (i) Carcass and Waste Material Disposal by Burial, (ii) Bird Carcass and Waste Material Disposal by mobile Incineration (if this option will be accepted and applied), (iii) Disposal of infected materials from labs and hospitals by fixed Incineration, (iv) Laboratory Safety and Waste Management, and (v) Reconstruction Work of the reference laboratories and isolation rooms at regional hospitals, in order to ensure appropriate attention to environmental issues, and tracking progress or problems in their management. Detailed mitigation and monitoring plans in matrix-table format are given in the supporting annexes at the end of the document. The EMP provides also documentation of meetings and public consultations and participation process performed during the preparation of this document. 5

6 Part One. Project Overview and Environmental Policy Context I. Global, regional and national sector issues (a) Introduction The continuing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which begun in late 2003 in several Southeast Asian countries and have occurred more recently in Europe, have been disastrous to the poultry industry in the two regions and have raised serious global public health concerns. As of March 2006, more than 140 million domestic poultry had either died or been destroyed and over 174 people had been infected (of which 94 have died). Recent increases in the number of known cases of avian influenza (AI) transmission have raised concerns over the potential emergence of a pandemic, which could have devastating effects on human health and livelihoods. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that there are many uncertainties about whether and when a pandemic might occur, as well as about its potential impact. Humans are not very susceptible to the disease, but if infected with the Asian H5N1 strain, they could exhibit a high case fatality rate. The geographical spread of HPAI, the human dimension, and the potential enormous social and economic impact are unprecedented. Economic losses to the Asian poultry sector alone are estimated to date at around $10 billion. Despite control measures the disease continues to spread, causing further economic losses and threatening the livelihood of hundreds of millions of livestock farmers, jeopardizing smallholder entrepreneurship and commercial poultry production, and seriously impeding regional and international trade, and market opportunities. The rural poor, who rely for a larger share of their income on poultry, have been particularly hard hit with income losses. It is impossible to anticipate when the next influenza pandemic may occur or how severe its consequences may be. On average, three pandemics per century have been documented since the 16 th century, occurring at intervals of years. In the 20 th century, pandemics occurred in 1918, 1957 and If a major pandemic were to appear again, similar to the one in 1918, even with modern advances in medicine, an unparalleled toll of illness and death could result. Air travel might hasten the spread of a new virus, and decrease the time available for preparing interventions. Countries health care systems could be rapidly overwhelmed, economies strained, and social order disrupted. Through interventions as proposed in this Project, and in collaboration with other national and international partners, it should be possible to minimize a pandemic s consequences in Albania through advance preparation to meet the challenge (b) Socioeconomic Context The recent epidemics or outbreaks of animal origin (e.g. SARS, avian influenza, Lassa virus, Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Nipah virus, West Nile virus) have demonstrated the potential and real global impact of zoonotic diseases on the health and well-being of the public, as well as the enormous humanitarian, socio-economic, and trade damage that this group of diseases can cause to both developed and developing countries. They have also underscored the important role of official

7 veterinary and public health services in disease prevention and control, as well as the importance of strengthening the capacity of these services in compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) international standards (e.g. the local, regional, and global quarantine powers under the International Health Regulations; and the international standards, guidelines and recommendations under the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code). The epidemics have also demonstrated that there is an urgent need for a global response to improve the local and regional preparedness and rapid response capacity to the threat from zoonotic disease. Influenza is a zoonotic disease (animal to human transmission) of international importance because of the ability of the virus that causes the disease to mutate for a potential wide-scale human-to-human transmission. Outbreaks of influenza in humans occur annually, as a result of antigenic drift in the Influence A virus with a severity which varies from year to year, but is typically moderate to mild. Nonetheless, these outbreaks occur in all countries and exert an impact primarily through morbidity and reduced economic productivity because of illness. In contrast, severe influenza pandemics occur infrequently, as a result of antigenic shift, but have been unprecedented in the number of infections and deaths caused over a short timeperiod. The severity of these influenza pandemics resulted from infection with a subtype of influenza virus to which humans had not been previously exposed and so had no immunity. Such a new sub-type of influenza (known as H5N1) is currently causing large outbreaks in birds and domestic poultry in East and Central Asia and Europe, creating widespread concern that the risk of a new and potentially severe human pandemic is high 1. Addressing economic and social impacts must be an integral part of a comprehensive response. A pandemic would have devastating economic and social consequences, including large-scale loss of livelihoods as well as lives. At least three types of economic costs or impacts should be considered under a human pandemic scenario: (i) effects of sickness and mortality on potential output; (ii) private preventive responses to an epidemic; and (iii) public sector responses. (c) Key Issues A coordinated global response should involve three types of strategic activities: (i) preventing the occurrence and spread of the disease in domesticated animals, thus lowering the virus load in the environment, (ii) preventing and/or mitigating the effects of an outbreak in humans, and (iii) in the event of a pandemic, helping affected populations cope with its effects. Key issues that have been identified include: Prevention and control of avian influenza is multi-sectoral in nature. It involves many players, including those in the areas of health, agriculture, environment, economics, finance, and planning among others. At the country level, in particular, an integrated, multi and inter-sectoral response is needed 1 Antigenic drift refers to a change in surface proteins of a given strain of influence virus in response to antibodies in human hosts who have been exposed to it. It occurs continually in both type A and B influenza strains, thus the reason to re-engineer the influenza vaccine on a regular basis to prevent seasonal outbreaks or epidemics. Antigenic shift refers to the reassortment of the animal influenza strain with the circulating human strain in the process of moving from an animal to humans. This antigenic shift is more of a concern since when it occurs, it results in pandemics due to generalized susceptibility to infection in humans. 7

8 based on shared objectives. Responses must address both the animal health and human health dimensions and also appropriate social measures (quarantines, transport restrictions, mass communication strategies). The risk of a human pandemic is real. The H5N1 strain currently affecting several Asian countries has proven highly fatal to humans. The risk that a pandemic virus will emerge depends on opportunities for human exposure and infection, which will persist as long as the H5N1 virus continues to circulate in animals. With the present situation, the potential of the HPAI virus to become transmissible among humans needs to be a serious concern. If the virus adapts itself to human-to-human transmission, lives may be threatened on a large scale. Avian Influenza virus is constantly evolving with unpredictable results. The HPAI viruses are of particular concern because they undergo constant genetic change that can have unpredictable results. The constant and rapid evolution of the virus necessitates a global approach to controlling the disease. Market conditions have caused HPAI to spread rapidly. The conditions for the emergence and local spread of HPAI have been exacerbated by the intensification and concentration of livestock production in areas of high-density human populations. The danger of international spread of HPAI has increased by the dynamics of regional and international trade and the movement of people. The geographic coverage of a response should be determined by both immediate and anticipated needs. Asia is today the most affected region, but the disease is currently spreading to other areas of the world at an alarming rate and recent scientific evidence indicates that wild birds play a role in the spread of the virus from one country or region to another. A minimum level of preparedness is essential in all countries. An appropriate balance between short and long-term actions needs to be taken. Immediate action is needed in a number of areas. The immediate to shortterm objective is to reduce the risk to humans by preventing further spread of HPAI in those countries that are currently infected. The long-term vision of the strategy is to minimize the global threat and risk of HPAI in domestic poultry and humans, through progressive control and eradication of HPAI. Global and regional aspects of the response need to be addressed and coordinated. Actions to secure borders and control international trade/travel in the event of a pandemic, as well as measures to limit the effects of disease transmission by migratory birds, are trans-boundary issues requiring regional and/or international coordination. Global and regional efforts should build on existing mechanisms such as the joint OIE/World Bank initiative for the Prevention and Control of Global Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases of Animal Origin, and the joint Global Framework for Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), a joint FAO/OIE initiative and regional organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The FAO/OIE s Global Strategy. The long-term vision of the strategy prepared by FAO and OIE in collaboration with WHO is to minimize the global threat and risk of HPAI in humans and domestic poultry, through progressive control and eradication of HPAI, particularly that caused by H5N1 virus, from terrestrial domestic poultry. The global strategy will be implemented over three time frames: immediate to short (1-3 years), short to medium (4-6 years) and medium to long-term (7-10 years). During this period the spread of HPAI, mainly of the H5N1 strain, will have been 8

9 progressively controlled in domestic poultry of all infected countries, and prevented from affecting those countries not currently infected, but at high risk. The strategy originally prepared to control HPAI in Asia is being revised by FAO and OIE to take into account the current spread on the disease outside Asia. The strategy will be complemented by more detailed country specific HPAI control plans. FAO/OIE have also issued specific recommendations for avian influenza and OIE has recently issued recommendations for each region, in addition to its standards and guidelines provided for the prevention and control of HPAI in animals. The Recommended Strategic Action plan prepared by WHO for Responding to the Avian Influenza Pandemic Threat lays out activities for individual countries, the international community, and WHO to prepare for a pandemic and mitigate its impact. The objectives of the plan correspond to the opportunities and capacities to intervene and are structured in three phases: (i) pre-pandemic supporting the FAO/OIE s control strategy; increasing collaboration between animal and health services; strengthening EWS, (ii) emergence of a pandemic containing or delaying spread at the source, and (iii) pandemic declared and spreading internationally reducing morbidity, mortality and social disruption; conducting research to guide response measures. WHO has also prepared a global plan and guidelines for pandemic preparedness and is in the process of developing a model country plan that will allow countries to assess their state of preparedness and identify priority needs. The Bank has developed a global facility through a multi-country adjustable program loan (MAP). In parallel, the Bank is discussing with the EU, WHO and FAO/OIE, and bilateral donors the establishment of a multi-donor trust fund (TF) that primarily supports country level activities in conjunction with a smaller and complementary role at the regional and global level. (d) The regional dimension Cases of the H5N1 strain of avian flu have already occurred in more than 30 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa, including most recently in Albania, Azerbaijan, Austria, Croatia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Russia, and Turkey. There are also possible cases in Macedonia and Slovenia. The countries in the Balkan peninsula where Albania is a part are at risk, due to their proximity to two main flyways the East Africa-West Asia Flyway and the Central Asia Flyway. Both flyways cross areas in North-Eastern Europe, where avian influenza in wild and domestic birds has been diagnosed. Besides, the Balkan countries, including Albania, are hosting in winter a large number of wintering waterbirds coming from the North Europe and Siberia. (e) The national dimension 9

10 The potential threat posed by HPAI is well documented in the GPAI PAD. Since the emergence of the global HPAI threat and its spread to Europe, Albania has been considered as a country at strategic risk, due to its position in relation to migratory bird routes (more than half of 323 wild bird species recorded in the country are considered migratory, frequenting wetlands bordering on farming communities), the conditions under which poultry are reared, and increasingly its shared borders with other countries that have had cases of HPAI or which are also deemed at strategic risk. In February 2006, the first outbreak of HPAI among domestic poultry occurred in the village of Cuka in the South, with the result that several hundred heads of poultry had to be culled. Another outbreak followed in March, in the Village of Peze- Helmes, just six miles from Tirana. In both cases, the Government moved quickly and decisively to contain the outbreak, declaring a state of emergency in the regions where the outbreak occurred, restricted movement in and out of a 3 km area around the spot where the suspected cases were found, and implemented culling of all domestic poultry within the two zones. A quick compensation scheme to farmers for all culled domestic poultry was designed and implemented in a very efficient way to both AI outbreak cases. The Government has organized local crisis teams in major regions to undertake monitoring and surveillance operations, collect samples from suspicious deaths, and prepare for rapid response in the event of an outbreak. The Government of Albania, with the support of the international donor community in Albania, has focused on mounting a rapid response, improving surveillance, detection and containment measures. These efforts include adjusting legislation for control and prevention of communicable diseases, including influenza pandemics, in line with international legislation; establishing a National Influenza Pandemic Committee, or Task Force, as an inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral decision-making body 2. The Ministry of Health has prepared and monitors implementation of a national contingency plan, and an Influenza Committee at the Ministry of Health is in continuous contact with the Civil Emergencies and Crises Committee at the Ministry of the Interior. The Institute of Public Health (IPH) is the National Focal Point for Influenza Pandemic (human public health). The Institute of Veterinary Research (IVR) in MoAFCP is the National Focal Point for Avian Influenza (veterinary public health). Establishment of Avian Pandemic Influenza District Committees (subnational level) is under progress. Finally, the Government has made considerable effort to inform the public about the risks of Avian Flu, and it has established functioning hot-lines in both rural and urban areas to take reports of suspicious bird deaths. Regular testing of water fowl has been initiated at coastal lagoons and lakes along major migratory routes. Nevertheless, the environmental considerations during the culling of domestic poultry and disposal of bird carcasses by burial pits are not fully and seriously taken into account. Consequently, there is a need to strengthen environmental management during the design and implementation of preventive, control and containment measures planned under AI project in Albania. 2 This Task Force was established by order of the Prime Minister on October 28, Membership of the Task Force includes the Ministries of Agriculture (chair), Health, Interior, Education, Environment, and Finance. Its main responsibilities include taking decisions at the national level for prevention and control of AI; coordination of the national contingency plan; and distribution of tasks to each ministry; ensuring implementation at the field level; preparing bulletins; informing the PM s office; and communicating with national and international organizations. The AI task force meets regularly. However, as yet it has no permanent secretariat with full time staff working to coordinate detailed planning and crisis management and ensure regular monitoring and supervision of activities. 10

11 Albania s poultry population is given as million, of which over 85 percent are reared in a free-ranging environment on small household farms across the country. 3 Given the conditions of poultry production in Albania, the continued exposure to potentially infected wild birds, and the difficulty of enforcing control measures such as enclosing poultry and banning hunting and trade and transport of live poultry, there is considerable risk of further outbreaks and the spread of outbreaks. The spread of avian flu among domestic poultry would have a serious effect on Albania s economy, particularly in rural areas, where poverty rates are around 30 percent. 4 II. Project Development Objective and Project Components The project development objective is to strengthen the country s capacity to prevent the spread of avian influenza among poultry, to prevent the transmission of avian influenza from birds to other animals and humans, and to prepare for a potential pandemic of avian influenza transmissible between humans. To achieve this, three areas would be supported by the project: (i) prevention; (ii) preparedness and planning; and (iii) response and containment. The Project consists of the following four components: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Public Awareness and Information Animal Health Human Health Support to Avian Influenza Task Force III. Policy context (a) IDA/IBRD Safeguards Policy The World Bank requires environmental assessment (EA) of projects proposed for Bank financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound and sustainable, and thus improve decision making (OP 4.01, January 1999). EA is a process whose breadth, depth, and type of analysis depend on the nature, scale, and potential environmental impact of the proposed project. EA evaluates a project s potential environmental risks and impacts in its area of influence; examines project alternatives; identifies ways of improving project selection, siting, planning, design, and implementation by preventing, minimizing, mitigating, or compensating for adverse environmental impacts and enhancing positive impacts; and includes the process of mitigating and managing adverse environmental impacts throughout project 3 The remaining 15 percent is reared on 32 commercial farms ranging in size from 500 to 220,000 heads. 4 World Bank Country Assistance Strategy for Albania, January

12 implementation. The Bank favors preventive measures over mitigatory or compensatory measures, whenever feasible. EA takes into account the natural environment (air, water, and land); human health and safety; social aspects (involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples, and cultural property); and transboundary and global environmental aspects. It also takes into account the variations in project and country conditions; the findings of country environmental studies; national environmental action plans; the country s overall policy framework, national legislation, and institutional capabilities related to the environment and social aspects; and obligations of the country, pertaining to project activities, under relevant international environmental treaties and agreements. The Bank does not finance project activities that would contravene such country obligations, as identified during the EA. The Albania Avian Influenza (AI) Project has been assigned World Bank environmental category B, since it involves moderate environmental impacts that can be managed during implementation of the project. The EA process for the AI project is addressed through this Environmental Assessment and Management Plan (EAMP). Key considerations taken into account during the EA process include: Generic initial screening to determine appropriate environmental assessment; Compliance with existing environmental regulations in Albania; Linkages with social assessment; Analysis of alternatives; Public participation and consultation with affected people and organizations; and Disclosure of information. (b) Albanian Legislation Environmental legislation. Albania has made good efforts during the last years in preparing a quite comprehensive legislative framework. According to the Constitution, every citizen in Albania is entitled to an ecologically healthy environment for present and future generations as well as access to information on the state of the environment. The laws regarding environmental protection take into consideration requirements of international conventions and treaties, and cover the whole range of protective measures. However, the challenge is not so much in the legislation, which seems to be in place, but in its implementation and enforcement. This is due to insufficient work in producing by laws (regulations, decisions and other normative acts), inadequate and poorly qualified and equipped local environmental structures and inspections (Regional Environmental Agencies), low environmental awareness and performance of public administration, general public and decision makers. Environment is still not a priority, and environmental principles and concerns largely fail to be integrated into other sectoral policies in Albania. Activities to be carried out under the AI project and the implementation of Environmental Management Plan will conform to current laws in Albania and will be in compliance with relevant environmental laws, including the followings: 12

13 Albanian Law on Environmental Protection (1993, amended in 1998 and 2002) Albanian Law on Environmental Impact Asessment (2003) Albanian Law on Water Resources (1996, amended in 1998 and 2000) Albanian Law on Protection of Transboundary Lakes (2003) Albanian Law on Chemical Substances and Preparations (2003) Albanian Law on Protection of Air from Pollution (2002) Albanian Law on Wildlife Protection and Hunting (1994) The Law on Environmental Protection (1993, amended in 1998 and 2002) forms the basis for environmental management in Albania. The law addresses the prevention and reduction of pollution, sustainable management of natural resources, monitoring, how to define pollution levels. It provides binding provisions for environmental impact assessment and the implementation of the polluter pays principle. The Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (2003). This law define economic activities or projects, which require environmental assessment; procedures for obtaining environmental clearance (including assessment of impact on environment) and procedures regarding review of permits application. The Environmental Permission assesses broad ecological impact of the proposed facility operations, but does not define specific ecological impact limits for air and waters. The assessment is carried out upon the presentation of the application for receiving the relevant license. Under Albanian law Environmental Assessments (EAs) are grouped in two environmental categories (1 and 2), which are approximately equivalent to Bank environmental categories A and B. Albanian Category 1 relates to projects/activities that fall under the Appendix 1 of the EIA law, while Category 2 relates to projects/ activities included in the Appendix 2. The AI project is considered to correspond to Albanian Category 2. The Albanian Category 2 includes activities the scope, location and content of which can have a significant impact on human health and nature of the region where the activity will be carried out. According to the EIA law, the AI project shall undergo a summary process of Impact Assessment on Environment. The Environmental Declaration (ED) or Permit shall be issued in the cases when the evidential documentation: (i) is in compliance with the Albanian legislation as well as the environmental norms and standards effective on the territory of Albania; (ii) the implementation of the activities outlined in it shall not cause irreversible qualitative and quantitative changes in the environmental condition and natural resources, and (iii) makes provision for measures reducing or evading the impact on the environment including the measures for liquidation of possible effects of emergency situations. Albanian Law on Water Resources (1996). This law regulates environmental issues related to surface waters, underground waters, current spring waters and territorial limits and determines rules necessary for getting licenses/permits regarding water use and discharge. The law provides for rules and regulations whose objective is to preserve the water resources from pollution and contamination. Albanian Law on the Protection of Transboundary Lakes (2003). This law regulates environmental issues related to protection of transboundary lakes of Shkodra, Ohrid 13

14 and Prespa. The law provides for rules and regulations which aim at ensuring and guaranteeing natural ecological conditions in the transboundary lakes and protection of their water resources from pollution. Albanian Law on Chemical Substances and Preparations (2003).This law aims at regulating the management of chemical substances and preparations for the protection of life and health of people and animals as well as for the protection of environment from risks that hazardous matters may cause. Albanian Law on Protection of Air from Pollution (2002). The purpose of this Law is to guarantee the right of citizens to clean air; to protect human health, fauna, flora and the natural and cultural values of the Albanian environment from the pollution of the air. This Law regulates quality control norms of the living environment air (see Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 435 dated On approval of the norms of discharges in the air in the Republic of Albania ). Albanian Law on Wildlife Protection and Hunting (1994). Article 19 of this law says the Government provides budgetary funding for the protection, development and reproduction of wild fauna, the natural ecosystems where wild fauna lives and for coping with major natural disasters. Article 28 provides with the right of the National Authority (today the Minister of Environment, Forest and Water Administration) to ban hunting in the entire territory or in particular areas, for reasons related to special ecological or weather conditions, even though the hunting seasons may be open. That measure was applied last hunting season as a preventive measure to stop spreading of AI to domestic birds, but it largely failed to be implemented due to lack of legal enforcement. Veterinary and emergency regulations. The relevant legislative and policy documents governing the Veterinary Service provide for response to epizootic diseases. The most recent legislation is the Law of Albania "On Veterinary Service and Inspectorate" (2004). Articles 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 provide for control by the Veterinary Service over execution of instructions and resolution adopted in regards with prevention and liquidation of hazardous infectious diseases common to animals, and for making arrangements for culling and disposal of dead animals by burial holes or incineration. Article 26 provides for obligatory preventive veterinary measures to protect the public health from zoonotic diseases, and Article 30 provides for veterinary (quarantine) measures applied in case of an outbreak of contagious disease. Although this is a comprehensive law, there is a need for amendment regarding the sharing of competences and responsibilities among authorities to select appropriate site for final disposal of animal carcasses infected or suspected with zoonotic diseases by burial pits or incineration in the territories of communes and municipalities. As it stands today, the environmental authority is not part of this decision making, and environmental considerations or requirements regarding site selection for burial pits or incineration are not taken into account. National Committee on Avian Influenza or Task Force (AITF). By order of the Prime Minister on October 28, 2005 a National Task Force on Avian Influenza was established, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of the MoAFCP and consisting of the Minister s of Finance, Health, Environment, Interior and Local Government, and Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection. Under the coordination 14

15 of Task Force, the Government has developed National AI Preparedness Plan (NAIPP). This plan provides a good basis for further preparatory work with a particular focus on development of contingency plans and conducive legal framework, that will enable the government to implement recommended disease detection, control, prevention, containment, and eradication measures in a uniform and effective way. This NAIPP is disseminated in Regions and Communes all around Albania and will help them to better prepare and plan their own activities and undertake measures to ensure the implementation of the NAIPP at region and commune level. (c) International conventions and agreements The AI project in Albania and its Environmental Management Plan (EMP) should be implemented in compliance with other relevant international legislation such as conventions, agreements, protocols and EU Directives. Among them of special reference are the following: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. (Ramsar, 1971). United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), Bern Convention For the Protection of Natural Habitats, wild Flora and Fauna in Europe (Bern, September 19, 1979) Barcelona Convention For the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution (Barcelona, February 16, 1976). Bonn Convention on Protection of Migratory Species of Wildlife (Bonn, on June 23, 1979). Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus-Denmark, June 25, 1998) Helsinki Convention On the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Helsinki March 17, 1992). EU Habitat Directive, and EU Birds Directive (d) WHO and FAO/OIE Guidelines The strategies for AI containment and response by the FAO/OIE and WHO are reviewed briefly in the section on global and sector issues above. More information on these guidelines is presented in Annexes 1 and 2 below. IV. Territorial coverage of the Project The project will operate throughout Albania, as it is fully possible that AI will appear in wild birds and domestic poultry in all areas of the country. Priority areas of concern are regions of Shkodra, Lezha, Durresi, Tirana, Fieri, Vlora and Korca that host large populations of migratory waterfowl, including in their territories major water ecosystems of the country, such as coastal lagoons and major inland lakes (Shkodra, Ohrid and Prespa lakes). (See map attached as Annex 7 below). 15

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17 Part Two. Environmental Assessment and Management Plan V. Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures by Component Activities under AI projects are not expected to generate significant adverse environmental effects as they are focused largely on public sector capacity building and improved readiness for dealing with outbreaks of avian influenza in domestic poultry and a potential human pandemic. These prevention-focused activities are expected to have a positive environmental impact as the Project s investments in facilities, equipment, and training for border inspection points and for veterinary and public health services and laboratories will improve the effectiveness and safety over existing avian influenza handling and testing procedures. This would be reinforced by the mainstreaming of environmental safeguards into protocols and procedures for the culling and disposal of animals during AI outbreaks. In addition, waste generated in upgraded laboratory facilities will be managed using existing national guidelines that are consistent with international good practice. The main areas of environmental risk from project activities are the inadvertent spread of the AI virus during culling, transport and disposal of carcasses, animal waste, litter, and used protective gear; construction and operation of incinerators for treatment of disposals from Labs and Hospitals; contamination of surface and groundwater from use of disinfectants; and laboratory bio-safety and waste management. In addition, minor environmental disturbances may occur during renovation of laboratories and construction of inspection facilities at major border crossings. The project environmental mitigation plan is attached as Annexes 5-a, 5-b, 5-c and 5-d. (i) (ii) (iii) Public Awareness and Information: No environmental issues, but an important component for design and delivery of communications tools for good hygiene, safe culling and disposal of animal carcasses, animal waste management. If implemented as designed the activities under this component will have positively effects on the preventive, control and containment measures proposed under the animal and human health components of the project. Animal Health: Equipment, refurbishing and training for regional laboratories and border inspection to include key environmental issues in zoonotic disease containment and waste management as pertain to special waste, emissions and materials; training for veterinary services and poultry sector workers to include procedures for safe handling of AI materials; safe culling of infected and at-risk poultry and disposal of carcasses. Formal compensation for culled animals should target owners/primary beneficiaries (e.g., specifically including women where they are the primary backyard producers). Human Health: Equipment, upgrading, refurbishing and training for national reference and regional diagnostic laboratories to include key environmental issues in zoonotic disease containment and waste management; guidelines, equipment and supplies for hospital infectious waste management. 17

18 (iv) Support to Avian Influenza Task Force: No environmental issues; implementation and evaluation of the EMP will be monitored through this component. Animal Health Component. This component will support strengthening of disease monitoring and surveillance, border controls and planning for containment measures in event of an outbreak, including preparation of plans for compensation. Immediate inputs required include cars, fuel, protective gear, disinfectant material, sprayers, rapid testing kits. Training, particularly for regional staff is required, along with technical assistance for the development of contingency plans, review of the legal and regulatory framework for response to an outbreak, and development of a mechanism to compensate poultry owners in the event that culling becomes necessary. These measures will be supported through the following three sub-components: B-1. Strengthening National HPAI prevention and preparedness capability. It will strengthen the national policy and regulatory environment for veterinary service and inspection, and improve HPAI prevention and control planning. B-2 Strengthening disease control capacities, and improving surveillance, diagnostic capacities, and applied research. It will strengthen veterinary epidemiological surveillance through the creation of a National Veterinary Epidemiological Unit (NVEU), operating at the central and field level. National diagnostic capacities and bio-safety levels at the Institute of Veterinary Research and the Regional Veterinary Laboratories will also be strengthened, through equipment and technical assistance. Animal disease information systems will also be improved. B-3 Strengthening HPAI control programs and outbreak containment programs. It will target virus eradication at the source through culling and disposing of infected and at-risk poultry, and control of movement of birds, with the assistance of two mobile sub-units of the NVEU. Training and protective equipment will be provided to promote the safety of personnel dealing with potentially affected poultry. This subcomponent will also include a compensation fund, to improve the capacity and the credibility of the government s commitment to compensate farmers for all culled livestock. These sub-components and measures are all supported through technical assistance, training and financing for the Compensation Fund. While these actions do not raise environmental issues, they will enable Albania to meet international standards set by the OIE and the recommendations developed by FAO for development of appropriate procedures and standards for the implementation and management of animal health measures and international veterinary certification activities. This in turn will help to provide the capacity for safe and environmentally sound management of culling and disposal of AI infected materials. 18

19 In addition to technical assistance and training, these sub-components will provide priority infrastructure and equipment (limited works, equipment, materials and supplies). Funding would be provided for essential first response equipment. This would include personal protection equipment, disinfectant equipment, vehicles, and materials for sampling and culling. Albania s laboratory capacity has been substantially strengthened over the past years and is largely equipped to diagnose all notifiable diseases including HPAI. Therefore, project support would be targeted primarily to strengthening the diagnostic capacity that needs to feed into the laboratory system. Essential equipment, consumables and reagents, staff training and technical assistance would be provided to complete the chain of response for disease surveillance. Mitigation Measures for Animal Health Component: Disposal of infected materials by burial. In Albania, the existing animal carcass disposal method is digging of burial pits and use of quicklime to prevent earthworms bringing contaminated material to the surface after pit closure. This method is accepted in other countries (Australia, Canada) with due attention to factors such as the amount of material for disposal, location of the burial site, proximity to water catchment areas, soil characteristics, etc. Of particular concern however is the risk to groundwater from poorly sited pits. The Project aims to address the risks of inadvertent spreading of the virus during disposal of carcasses by burial through (i) training of veterinary services staff in proper handling of potentially infected materials; (ii) training for farmers and commercial poultry workers on proper burial pit construction and operation; (iii) provision of quicklime, personal protective equipments (PPEs) and other supplies; (iv) ensuring guidance is provided from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration regarding siting of burial pits to avoid groundwater contamination; (v) refreshment of knowledge on proper burial practice, adopted to different site conditions. Visiting the first two cases of AI outbreaks in Albania, the case of Peze-Helmes is an example of poorly sited and constructed burial hole, of a high risk to ground and surface water contamination and very likely that the virus may spread out. This should not be taken as a good practice and safety method that might be applied in such a way in other possible AI outbreaks in Albania during the lifespan of this project. Properly sited and constructed holes and burial pits are valid disposal options in Albania, but this method should carefully take into considerations environmental concerns and requirements (see box 1 and table 1). It is highly recommended that commune/municipality authorities, in cooperation with environmental authority and veterinary service, make a list of candidate sites for burial pit within their own territory that can fulfill environmental requirements. Geology, hydrogeology and soil conditions map produced by relevant Research Institutes of Albania should be available and used for such a purpose. In case these candidate sites fall within private lands, provisions for compensation to private owner /owners for land acquisition and/or loss of crops and fruit trees should be made accordingly and included in the compensation scheme of the AI project. Apart from disposal of infected material by burial, the project should consider other alternative options, especially the use of mobile incineration for coastal regions 19