ITEM 4 - REPORT ON THE GAP ANALYSIS MISSIONS TO ASSESS FMD LABORATORY CAPACITIES IN THE BALKAN REGION

On a larger scale, vaccination programmes against SAT2 in Israel, Libya, Tunisia, will proceed with international purchase from national funds, although delivery dates and issues have seriously set back starting points; and in Egypt has occurred with locally produced vaccine.

The Chairman thanked the Secretariat for the very active and efficient response which had clearly stemmed from working closely with international partners and also engaged the leading laboratories in the UK, France and Italy. The substantial increase in diagnostic capacity in the at-risk countries was an important part of ensuring the countries are able to recognise and respond; the development of surveillance plans in high risk border zones requires some follow-up to know if these had been applied. In the case of the Rabat meeting, supporting the costs of meetings without leading the technical Agenda is a new development and the impact of providing such support should be evaluated, and those involved in REMESA were in a good position to do so.

Conclusions

1. The emergency actions of the EuFMD in response to the SAT2 incursion were an important component of the international response and had delivered new diagnostic capacity in the most at-risk countries the neighbourhood, and at the same time brought forward into production diagnostic tests relevant to Member States; 2. The threat of SAT2 and possibly other African origin FMDV serotypes has not been eliminated and there is evidence these strains may have become endemic in Egypt and Libya, with further incursions likely until border controls are re-established; 3. The EuFMD should continue to support the VS in Egypt to undertake surveillance and develop their longer term FMD control plan in line with the PCP framework, and the EC is requested to respond to the proposal made through the FAO.

Item 4 - Report on the gap analysis missions to assess FMD laboratory capacities in the Balkan Region

Dr Hammond provided an update (Appendix 7) on the situation. At the 83rd Session, it was agreed that visits to each NRL in eight territories be conducted (gap analysis) in order to develop the options for capacity assistance. Two missions had taken place, with six further planned in October-December 2012, by Pirbright staff (Dr Bashiruddin). Each mission takes approximately three days, with EuFMD organizing the travel and the WRL invoicing the EuFMD/EC for the professional inputs.

It is noted that the report indicated a series of activities (1 to 4) , but at this point the Executive had agreed only for the first parts of Activity 1 after which decisions would be made on further support. The Chair thanked the WRL for the report and urged that the report be available before the 85th Session in February in order that options for capacity assistance are identified and as far as possible co-ordinated with other EC funded programmes (e.g. CSF-Rabies EFA project).

Conclusions

1. The report of the gap analysis missions should be finalised at least two weeks before the 85th

Session in February (i.e. by the end of January) in order that options for follow-up be identified and discussed at the Session.