ITEM 6. LONG TERM STRATEGY FOR FMD CONTROL IN WEST EURASIA

the West Eurasian Roadmap, and the development of vision and roadmaps for FMD control in Africa, were seen as positive contributions to the global effort. The recommendations of the Conference are provided in Appendix 9. Following the Conference, the Global Steering Committee of Gf-TADS had met in July in Rome; Dr Van Goethem, President Gf-TADS Europe had proposed a global subcommittee on FMD control be established under the Global Steering Committee and it was agreed a working group be established to follow-up the recommendations of the Paraguay Conference; FAO and OIE would shortly propose a date. This group should be able to review the progress in the various Roadmaps, existing and under development, and report on the overall level of progress. This working group should also agree on Governance arrangements for new initiatives, in line with Gf-TADS and with the need for regional champions and regional leadership of the countries in each Roadmap; he illustrated options for the West Eurasia meeting, and proposed interim solutions for the West Eurasia Roadmap meeting (to be held following the 78th Session).

Recommendation

FAO and OIE are encouraged to put into place the Working Group to follow-up on the recommendations of the Paraguay conference, as recommended by the GfTADS Global Steering Committee, and are requested to include the EuFMD Commission and a representative for the West Eurasia Roadmap in this group.

ITEM 6. Long Term Strategy for FMD Control in West Eurasia

The Chairman introduced this Item. At the Mini-Executive Committee meeting in Brussels in September (Appendix 10), it was recommended to have an overview on the risk associated with West Eurasia countries before discussion of changes to emphasis of EuFMD support programmes. The risk overview and proposed changes to the EuFMD program were presented by Dr Sumption (Appendix 11). West Eurasia is here described as the 14 countries with endemic FMD that stretch from Pakistan in the East to Turkey in the West. He considered that the most significant risk for European countries came from the situation in Iran/Pakistan, and Egypt. Iraq and possibly Syria present entry routes of exotic infections in Turkey, although the main regional source is seen as Iran. The Transcaucasus (TCC) countries have not been shown to be the source of infection for Turkey, but present a risk to each other and to the Russian Federation. In summary, he proposed that for the next 3 years, the emphasis of EuFMD support should be - towards the main risk situations, and thereby proposed greater attention and effort to work with Iran, to the common border region of Iran/Turkey/Iraq/Transcaucasus, with less effort on maintaining the buffer zone in the TCC and more on the western border with Turkey; - towards the wider regional effort in West Eurasia (threat monitoring, including lab networking), as it could provide improved early warning of new FMDV threats in the region, especially from Pakistan; - also ensuring attention to Egypt, to ensure continuity of monitoring the risk and to maintain progress.

He provided a budget estimate of 4 million US$ for a two year program (5.5 m for 3 years to 2012), of which around 1 million of the 3 year program would be on regional laboratory and epidemiology support. In relation to the overall agreement with the EC of 11.7 million US$, the maximum cost of planned actions (training, technical Studies, FMDV surveillance and FAO service charge) is 8.4 m, allowing around 3 million as an emergency reserve.

Discussion

The issue of country commitments to control movement was discussed; KS reported that this was a huge issue, but with evidence of change; several countries including Iran and the TCC were exploring I&R systems, and requesting guidance from FAO. Risk based vaccination programme could still help if for instance, animals that are likely going to be moved (legally or illegally) are vaccinated beforehand. Dr Askargolu agreed that price motivation is often too high, so that penalties on illegal movement do not help.