would be a necessary step for any greater involvement and the TransCaucasus countries should be informed of this. Dr Füssel indicated that FMD control in Anatolia is of predominant importance and that EuFMD efforts in support of Turkey to improve FMD management were important nationally and regionally. Dr Yacicioglu, for Turkey, welcomed the discussion and indicated that the GDFC, Turkey, requested further assistance to reduce the risk from West Eurasia and re-iterated their pledge of commitment. Dr Füssel questioned the impact of the efforts in Iran and had FMD control improved? The Secretary responded that the current Phase of support has been successful in several very important ways, in the development for the first time of a national FMD control strategy, and progress in FMD management capacity in the all important Province that borders Turkey, Armenia and Iraq, from where FMD has entered Turkey in the past; and in establishing subnational network of laboratories for early warning and improved local management of vaccination programmes. The last two years had seen far greater emphasis on management (compared to surveillance) and the Committee would find the progress impressive if they really examined it. Developing management skills are inexpensive compared to other inputs and it would be foolish to abandon a growing success. Dr Lubroth indicated that such a Regional Support Unit was in line with the GftADS Global Strategy and may complement or assist for Central Asia also, perhaps in a twin centre approach with other experts based in, for example, Kazakhstan. OTHER PILLAR 2 ACTIVITIES AND CONCLUSIONS The Chairman asked the Secretariat to develop a more detailed description and provisional workplans for the three other Pillar 2 actions foreseen in the EuFMD strategy, which have the purpose of reduced FMD risk in the European neighbourhood. On the Pillar 2 activities, the Chairman summed up the discussions, as follows: 1. The West Eurasia FMD management support initiative addresses an important gap and should be further developed, for consultation at the Baku Roadmap Meeting and ahead of the 40th General Session in April, and the views of FAO and OIE invited on this initiative being part of a regional support unit; 2. The TransCaucasus countries should express their willingness to commit to FMD control through entry into membership, before substantial additional assistance is provided; 3. In the case of the support to Cyprus in promoting better FMD management in the neighbourhood of Israel, meetings organised by EuFMD on FMD control might be arranged back to back with meetings of FAO/OIE which would cover, under their lead, other TADs; 4. In the case of Technical support to REMESA actions in North Africa at the request of member states (FR/SP/IT/PO), the Secretariat should make contact with the REMESA Co-Chairs to identify any specific requests for assistance, and identify needs for support, and a possible work programme; 5. Considering that the activities of the WELNET network are promoted by Turkey, this could be a part of the West Eurasia support; for the FAO led African FMD Laboratory Networks (EARLN and RESOLAB), which will in future come under GfTADS, decisions on further support will follow from request from FAO.
Goal 3. Support to the GfTADS Global Strategy for FMD Control
85th Executive Committee meeting of the EuFMD, Crete, Chania, 14-15 February 2013
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