“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants...” Louis D. Brandeis ( )

Risk Communication Is the process of explaining risk. Aims to inform people that are “outside” of the formal risk analysis process, so that they can understand the risk analysis & provide information to the process. 3

The Risk Analysis Framework 4 Risk Communication is a process that starts during the preliminary activities and continues until the risk analysis is completed.

RISK COMMUNICATION The purpose of risk communication is to: Transmit information about the ongoing process and ultimate results of a risk analysis to stakeholders and the general public. Receive comments, suggestions and criticism on how the risk analysis is being conducted. Bring stakeholders into the risk analysis process, giving them the feeling of “ownership” and agreement with the eventual conclusions. 5

RISK COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES Communication strategies involve crafting a message appropriate to the case at hand and its effective delivery to target audiences. Two sorts of message: general explanation of the risk analysis process and Detailed information about the planning and conduct of a specific risk analysis. 6

Risk Communication Activities to be accomplished by the PRAT: Decide if risk communication is needed Identify the stakeholders Decide on the methods of stakeholder communication Assign a person responsible for coordinating and planning communication activities Develop a time schedule for actions to be taken Implement the programme 7

IDENTIFYING STAKEHOLDERS Each risk analysis will have a different set of stakeholders. General categories include: Other government agencies Importers/exporters/traders Aquaculturist groups Sports fishing groups Environmental organizations (NGOs) Experts General public 8

Identifying Stakeholders Example of potential stakeholders for an oyster pathogen risk analysis: Shellfish farmers Shellfish harvesters (wild stocks) Importers/exporters Environmentalists/conservationists (NGOs) Government agencies Biosecurity Environmental protection Legal Enforcement Competent authority of exporting country Scientific community (experts) General public 9

Risk Communication Methods A risk communication process and schedule should be established at the start of the Risk Analysis Examples: Stakeholder lists Stakeholder meetings Media (newspaper, radio, television) , postal mailings Telephone Websites 10

Risk Communication is a Two Way Street Government provides information to stakeholders Purpose Process Progress (via regular updates) Conclusions and Results Implications and Impacts Involves them throughout the process Gets feed back and criticisms Ensures transparency 11

The Risk Analysis Report Circulation of the draft risk analysis report to stakeholders for comment is a key risk communication activity.

Risk Communication In controversial risk analyses, some stakeholders will always be unhappy with the outcomes. However, with transparency of process, sound science and good risk communication they should understand how and why a decision was reached. 13

Key Points Risk communication is a essential part of public- sector risk analyses Risk communication is an interactive process between risk analysts and stakeholders. It is a continuous process that is begun early in planning a risk analysis and which continues through until decisions are implemented via legislation. 14

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