ITEM 11. FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

78thExcom-Oct2009 years of FGS studies were considered necessary to properly address the needs of the control programs in Iran/Turkey/Pakistan in 2009-11.

New Technical studies recommended The Closed Session recommended 4 new technical actions/studies. Each would have a concept note developed by February 2010, to be submitted to the approvals procedure as identified by the Committee in 10.3, below.  Production of antisera against all antigens in the EuVB, and required for cartography;  Systematic antigenic analysis of type A and SAT2, and P1 sequencing;  Production of a standard antigen panel;  production of a proficiency panel.

10.3 Commissioning of technical studies recommended by the Research Group – new procedure The Secretary introduced a paper (Appendix 21) developed between the Secretariat and DG-SANCO, that set out the proposed procedure for commissioning of future technical studies that have the objective of addressing technical constraints identified by the Executive, General Session or during control operations, that affect surveillance/control options. The procedure requires a three step procedure: 1) that concept notes for proposed studies are first cleared by the Secretariat and Chairman of the Group, 2) if cleared, are revised and full proposal with costings submitted in the form of a proposed letter of agreement; 3) are reviewed by a 5 person subcommittee comprising the Secretary, representative of SANCO, Chairman of the Group, representative of the Executive Committee, and one other member of the Research Group (normally the Vice Chairman). The comments of the group would be addressed when the final agreement is made with the contractee. SANCO had indicated that potentially up to 500k€ could be available to address technical priorities in the current agreement. The Chairman fully supported the proposed procedure; Dr Gibbens agreed to act as representative of the Committee on the subcommittee.

Conclusion

The proposed procedure was endorsed.

10.4) Location of the Open Session of the EuFMD Standing Technical Committee, 2010 The Chairman provided an illustration of the facilities available at the Veterinary Faculty in Vienna for hosting the 2010 Open Session, and indicated the availability of sponsorship and local management to assist; the week of 29/09 – 01/10 was proposed. The proposal was accepted with enthusiasm, after brief discussion of alternatives, including Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

The Chairman was thanked for his support and the possibility to hold back-to-back Open Sessions and the 80th Executive Committee meeting were discussed. The option should assist to increase the presence of regulatory services at the Open Session, which was been recommended on many occasions given the policy issues that result from FMD scientific progress.

ITEM 11. Financial and administrative report

The Secretary presented the report of the financial position (September 09) of the Trust Funds managed by the Secretariat MTF/INT/003/EEC, after receiving a report from the financing of the Commission in 2010 and 2011. (Appendix 22).

The Committee noted the cost savings to the administrative budget that have been achieved following the recommendations of the 76th Session, and noted with gratitude the new financial agreement with the EC