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CONTENTS Page IN�!1-0DUCTI9:r;f ••
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Adoption of Agenda ...
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Election of Officers •••••••••••••••••••••••·••••·•·••
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PARTICIPATION AT THE SESSION ••• • • .••• • .• • . • • ••• .••• . • • ••••
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De 1 ega ti ons .•....••.•.•.•.••.•••••..•..•• o
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Observers from Countries ••·••••·•••••·•••···•·•••••••
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Observers from International Organizations ••••..•••••
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FAO Staff
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Officers of the }Jleoting •••.•••••••••••••••••••• , •. • • •
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COivil\.UTTEE ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION • • ••..•.•• • •• • • ••••••••••• •
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Di s cu s s ion • • •
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FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE IN EUROPE SINCE THE LAST SESSION...
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GENERAL REVIEW OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE..................
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Summary of tl1e Repoi....ts Discussion
JOINT COMMISSION/OIE TulEETING ON THE PREVENTION OF THE INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC TYPES· OF THE· VIRUS· INTO EUROPE •••...•.•....•.•.•.•
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ACCOUNTS AND BUDGETS
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APPENDIX I .Amendments adopted in principle to the Constitution and Rules of Procedure of the European Commission for the Control of Foot;....and-Mouth Disease at its Eighth
Session
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APPENDIX II .Amendments to Articles XIV (1) and XV of the Constitution of the European Commission for the· Control of Foot-ancl-Mouth Disease • • ..• • •.••.• • ••• • •• • ••• • •••••
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ii APPENDIX III Prevention of the introduction of exotic types of' the virus of foot-and-mouth disease into Europe Working Pa1)er on . the Impo:r:tation- of Meat· and Anlrnal Products ....... o • • • o . o . . . . .
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APPENDIX IV 'Accou·nts for tlio year ended 31 December 1960
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APPENDIX V Budg·ets for 1961 and 1962 • • • . • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • . • • • • • . • • •
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INTRODUCTION
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The Eighth Session of the Commission was held in Rome on·14-16 March 1961. Dr. Norman C. Wright, Deputy Director-General, FAO, welcomed the deiegations and observers on behalf of the Fo�cl and Agricultu·:re Organization;'J of the He gave special welcome to the delegate of Switzerland United Nations. He also wel whose country had recently become a member of the Commission. comed the President of the Office International des Epizooties and referred to the close collaboration between the Commission and tho OIE. Dr. Wright made reference to the advances which had taken place in the control o:f. foot-and-mouth disease, in which systematic vaccination played an important part, whereby it had become possible economically to introduce slaughter of infected animals in many European countries. He also said that while the control of the disease in Europe iVas of tho utmost importance, much attention was also being given to the prevention of the introduction of the infecting virus. He spoke ori the suggested amendments of the Commission's Constitution which would be discussed at this Session and said that the FAO Conference very much ho1Jed that the Commission would accept them� he gave an·assurance that by accepting the amendments the Commission would lose none of its autonomy. He congratulated Sir John Ritchie, Chairman oi' the Commission, on the honour of knighthood which had been bestm,ved on him by H. M. Government and said he felt the Commission would be especially pleased that this had taken place v�1ile Sir John was its Chairman. The Chairman, Sir John Ritchie, thanked Dr. Wright for his stimulating address and for the personal congratulations. Sir John also welcomed Dr. E. Fritschi as a delegate, representing Switzerland following its recent adherence to the Commission. He intimated that, unfortunately, Dr. Sava Mihajlovic, a Vice-Chairman, would not bo present ·because of family bereave ment. In his place, at this Session, the Chairman welcomed Dr. L. Belie. Sir John referred to the great loss which Denmark had suffered from the death of Dr. Wpldiko Nielson and to his interest ·in international work which included th€ very valuable s8rvice he had given to tho Commission. He welcomed Dr. Michelsen who was the delegate from Denmark to the Meeting. ADOPTION OF 'I'HE AGENDA Tho Commission adopted tho agenda as circulated. ELECTION OF OFFICERS On the motion oi' tho delegation of Ireland seconded by tho u.elegation of ::i::taly 1 Sir John HiJcchiB was unanimousl;y reelected Chairman of the Commission until the nuxt Session. On tho motio� of the delegation of the Netherlands 1 ::rnconded b;y- tb.c delegation of· Norway 7 D:r. Sava M:ihnjlovj_c and Dr. Armenia. E. Franqa e Silva (Portugo.1) were reol·ecterl. Vice-Chairmen for the same period. To fill tho -�hree :cemaining vacancies on tho Executive Cammittee 1 Dr. J.M. van den :Bni•n Cfotheri1:1,nlls) 1 Prof. I. Al tara, (Italy') and Dr. R. P. Gaier (Austria) wcr€ ree:'.<Jcl;ed Oi1 the pro:poniticn of tho dolege,tion of Denmark, seconded by the cle::.eea-�ion of' Turkey.
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4 Observers from Countries contd. Israel
Dr. M. Sturman Director, LiVestock Department and Veterinary Services Ministry of Agriculture Tel-Aviv
Spain
Mr. Guillermo Escard6 Agricultural Attache Spanish Embassy Via Lima 23 Rome
United States of America
Dr. C.N. Dale Chief, European Mission for Research on Animal Diseases Museumplein 19 .Amsterdam
Observers from IntGrnational Organizations International Office of Epizootics (OIE)
Dr. A.E. Fran9a e Silva President of OIE 12, rue de Prony Paris, 17e _ Dr. R. Willems PrGsident of the Permanent Foot-and-Mouth Disease Commission of OIE 1.2, rue de Prony Paris, -17e
World Veterinary Association
European Committee of Agriculture
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Dr. A. Ademollo General Veterinary Inspector Veterinary Services Ministry of Health Piazza Dalmazia 1 Rome Dr. A. Cappa Confedera�ione Cen�rale dell 1 Agricoltura Italiana Corso Vittorio Emanuele 101 Rome
5 FAO Staff Dr. K.V.L. Kesteven Director .Animal Production and Health Division· Dr. E.A. Eichhorn ()hief 9 ,·Animal Health Branch Animal Production and Health Division Dr. N.R. Reid Chief 9 Secti·on of T�.')pical Medicine Animal Health Branch · Animal Production and Health Division Dr. W. Chief 9 Animal Animal
Ross Cockrill Section of Veterinary Medicine Health Branch Production and Health.Division
Sir Thomas Dalling Consultant 9 European Commission for the Control of :F'oot-ancl-Mouth Disease Animal Health Branch Animal Production and Health Division Dr. E.G. Fogedby Secretary, European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Animal Health Branch Animal Production and Health Division Officers of the Meeting . Sir John N. Ritchie Chairman Dr. A.E. Franga e Silva Vice-Chairrnan Sir Thomas Dalling Consultant Dr. E.G. Fogedby Secretary
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6 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COI��ITTEE ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSION The Executive Committee of the Commi�sion met once since the Sevent)1 Session. The meeting was held in Rome on 13-14 December 1960, when various aspects of foot-and-mouth di�easo in Europe and the work of the Commission were dealt with in some detail. This report includes the results of dis cussions and decisions made by the Cornmit_tee. Notes on visits made since the Seventh Session Members of the Secretariat visited Yugoslavia, Paris, Brussels, Denmark, and the United States of .America. In Yugoslavia in April 1960 visits were made to institutes, farms, arti ficial insemination stations, and the Veterinary Faculty, Zagreb, at all of which discussion,s on foot:....and-rnouth disease and its control and the work of the Commission took place. There was also a meeting with the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. For various reasons a decision has been rnacle to replace the Foot-ancl Mouth Disease Institut·e at Subotica by a now establishment, tho location of which was discussed. The Secretary expressed tho opinion that, from points of view of obtaining supplies and of scientific contacts a site in or near a large town was preferable to an island. Because of the groat value of tho institute not only tc Yugoslavia but to tho whole of Europe, the Executive Committee rocornmoncls that tho Commission should give all possible advice and assiitance to its construction and establishment and that tho Comm.ission 1 s St'anding Technical Cornrnittec shoulcl give consideration to tho subject. In May 1960, the Consultant and the Socret�ry _and ot.her. re_presontatives of the Commission attended the IXth Conferonc0 of tho OIE Foot-ancl-Mouth Disease Commission and th0 XXVIIIth G0ncral Session of the OIE in Paris. Statements were made on tho vrnrk of the Europ0an Commission and. there was participation in the general discussions on foot-and-mouth disease. The Consultant and the Secretary again visited Paris in January 1961 for dis cussions with the Directorate of OIE an.cl the Chairman of the Foot-and Mouth Disease Commission of OIE. In June 1960 9 the Consultant and the Secretary and other representatives of the Commission together with representatives of the OIE participated in a joint mooting in :Brussels convened, as recommencled l)y the Commission, "to discuss measures for prevention of th� introduction of exotic types of the foot-and-mouth disease virus into Europe in moat and products of animal origin and to prepare recommenclations for suitable action". The Secretary visited Denmark on throe occasions, viz. in May 1960 following tho meetings in Paris, iri' August 1960 before l)rocoocling to the United· States, ancl in November 19p0 on his return journey from the United States. The first two visits were concerned with the Italian/Danish experiments on tests for immunity in cattle vaccinated with kidney tissue culture virus vaccine; at the third visit, experiments in Denmark using the Belin vaccine were discussed.
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7 At tho invitation of the United States Department of Agriculture, the Secretary visited the United States. in September and October 1960 when he discussed foot-aml-mouth disease vaccine production at the Plum Island Laboratory and participated in the research work of the laboratory, ex;".'.· .,;. plaining and demonstrating techni�ues. He addressed two meetings of the laborntory staff and others on the epizootiology and on the control of foot-and-mouth disease in Eu.rope. General Review of Foot-ancl-Mouth Disease in Eu.rol?e It was folt at the Seventh Session of the .P.orornission .that . the time was now opportune for tho Commission to p·roduce a revie\'f of the history of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe whi•ch should. include information ·on the Commission 1 s Overall Plan of Control. A draft review, prepared by the Secretary and containing also re ferences to actions taken by the Commission, has been_ distributed. The present position of foot-ancl-mouth disease in Europe At its rneeting in December 1960, the position of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe during 1960 was reviewed. Up-to-elate information given by delegations and observers at the VIIIth Session is given later in this report. The Executive Committee, following discussions at its last meeting on the position of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe, directs special ,_., .· attention to a number of points. (a) Sp0cies of anigials vacc:i.,nated. Procedures vary in different countries in which vaccination is included in control policies. In some, for example Austria and Italy, sheep and goats are vaccinated in addition to cattle, while in others 9 for oxample· 9 the Netherlands, only cattle arc vaccinated. There is no doubt, whatsoever, about the value of vaccination in tho control of foot-and-mouth disease but its relative value must depend to some extent on the proportion of the susceptible ruminant population vaccinated. The fellowing example illustrates this point. In the Netherlands with 3 1 000,000 cattle, 2,500,000 pigs and '500 9 000 sheep where. praoticaJly all cattle are vaccinatei:1 annually, but where sheep aml pigs are not treated, about 50 percent of the susceptible animals receive vaccine� on the other hand, if vaccination were practised in Great Britain with 11 9 000 9 000 cattle, 5,000,000 pigs and 26,000,000 sheep and only cattle were vaccinated, then only about 25 percent of the susceptible animal� would be protected. (b) Vaccination of pigs. The Committee again directs attention to the part played by pigs in the spread of foot-and-mouth di$ease ·ancl to the difficulty of immunising pigs with the cux-?ent vaccines. While reports have indicated tha.t there seems to be some evidence that imrnunity of short
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duration may be induced in pigs and that this immunity may play some part in arresting spread of infection in rapidly spreading epizootics, the Com �ittee is strongly of opinion that more intensive research should be �arried out on vaccine for use in pigs and on th� site of inoculation and recommend that the subject be brought to the attention of the research group of the Commission I s Standing Technical Cammittce. Attention is also directed to the procedure in Italy in which hyper immune cattle anti-foot-ancl-mouth disease serum is used:•.in pigs during ··· outbreaks. (c) Control and eradication campaigns. In many European countries, the stage'•in the control of foot-and-mouth disease has been reached whereby a slaughter policy is included. In some countries, slaughter of all animals in an infected herd is practised, while, in others, only those which actually show symptoms of the disease are slaughtered. The Committee feols stronely, that wherever possible, a whole herd in which even a single animal shows evidence of infection, shoulcl be slaughtered. · It is quite clear that, generally spanking, the introcluction of slaughter as part of the control policy in many countries, has been rm.de possible �nd successful only because of the valuable' effects of vaccination. While the ultimate aim of the Commission I s_. overall policy of control is to reach a stage throughout Europe that a true slaughter policy, without vaccino.tion, as practised in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway coulcl be operated, it is cleo.rly realised that many difficulties would attend tho substitution of such a scheme. Circum stances in inclividual countries have to be considered and much importance must be attached to the attitude of tho livestock owners. It must also bo pointed out, once again, that tho operation of a true slaughter policy can only bo offoctivo if all tho ancillary factors pertaining to tho policy are rigorously adhored to - such as early reporting of suspected outbreak.s, rapid diagnosis, immediate and severe restrictions_ :;f ·Jives:took movements, rapid slaughter of infected herds, rapid tracing of sources of infection and of animals likely to have boon exposed to infection and their "So.tisfactory dis posal, early ancl thorough disinfection of infected premises. Tho Cammitteo appreciates that some considerable time may elapse before it would be possible to substitute such a policy for those which include vaccination as practised today. With the lfotherlands as an example tho brilliant results in the control of foot-and-mouth disease by systematic vaccination of·the entire cattle popt.i.lation of a country together with slaughter, point tho way to the e�adication of the �isease from Europe in a rolativoly short period of time. It is of interest to note that serological and. challenge tests are to be made on ai1imo,ls vaccinated on several occasions. (cl)
Hent treatment of milk products to be fed to livestock
The Committee directs attention, once more, to the great danger of spread of foot,-and-mouth disease by milk and milk products orna:p.aj;ing from an infected herd. The neeµ to subject milk and milk· products be-fore being fed to livestoci<: to adequate heat·_:treatment for destroying the virus of foot and-mouth ·disease and, in fact, any pathogenic micro-organism 'is emphasized.
9 (e)
Veterinary supervision of meat inspection.
It is p.ossible, sometimes, to diagnose foot-and-mouth d{sease .. from lesions found at meat inspection which were not obvious during life.· �e Committee, therefore, directed attentio.n. to tho need for careful examinations by moat inspectors in abattotrs, which should always be carried out under active vetqr'.Lnary supervision. The results of such examinations may prove valuable also in tracing sources of outbreaks of the disease. (f) Imported meat as a source qf infection for Europe. While absolute ·proof of the introduction of the virus of foot-and-mouth disease in meat or products of animal origin from infected countries is extremely difficult to obtain, there seems to be little doubt from the overwhelming and accumu� lating circumstantial evidence in several countries in Europe that this takes pla·co.: · Tl10 Commission took action to minimize this risk by recommending that FA0 should appoint a veterinary consultant to visit some infected South American countries and to make recommendations. Tho report of the visit was made available to the Commission. It is understood that tho United Kingdom has pr.onibited the importation of pig moat from certain South American countries as from 1 February 1961. The report of the joint Commission/OIE meeting held in Brussels in June 1960 also makes recommendations concerning especially, exotic types of the virus. (g) Escape of virus from laboratories. The Committee draws attention .. to the bonsiderable amount of evidence which has accumu]ated pointing to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease caused by virus which has escaped from lab·oratories in several countries in Europe. While such escape of the classical types of the virus are of much importance, disastrous resu_lts. .... could follow the escape of an e�otic type if it were handled in a laboratory. It is essential that tho utmost care be exercised to prevent ·escapes of any virus from any laboratory and the Executive Committee recommends that the attention of the research group. of the Commission's Standing Technical Comipittee be drawn to tho danger and that tl].e group be asked to advise on any measures to minimize the risk. Supplies of antisera and'vaccinos of the types of virus exotic to Europe At tho Seventh Session, the Research Institute (Animal Virus Diseases), Pirbright, Surrey, England, undertook to provide antiserum for laboratory work in tho identification of exotic types of foot-and-mouth disease virus to laboratories in Europe. Details of the conditions under which the anti sera would be supplied wcro discussed and considered at a small informal meeting in Paris in May 1960, at which representatives of the Commission and of 0IE met the Dir�ctor of the Pirbright Institute. The final agreed con diti_ons were published in the· 0IE .Bulletin (Vol. LIII, No. 7-8, p. 1131). These conditions include the signing of requests by the Directors of Veterinary Services R�dtbirectors of the requesting laboratories; the sending to the Pirbright Institute of tho virus strain which the local tests have shown no.t to be type o, A or C; and the use of the antisera only for testing virus from outbreaks within the country concerned. · Tho·· Pirbright Institute undertook also to prepare and stor? supplies of vaccine produced from exotic viruses. A beginning has now been made Priority has been given to the preparation of Asia I in this production. typo vaccine because of the proximity to Europe of disease oaused by this
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Vaccine against tho S.A. types of the virus will also be prepared type. and in the fairly near future stocks of inactivated vaccines against all the �xotic virus types will ..be· available. Availability of vaccines of classical types of the virus for the supply of rnombor countries Some countries in Europe who do not p�oduce vaccine would extend vacqination in their control policies if vaccine could be procured at low cost. Occasions may also arise when vaccine-producing countries require. more vaccine than they could readily produce. Information has nmv boen . obtained from member countries on suppiies of ·vaccino ··which could be made· available at low ·cost ·to other member countrios to meet such requirements. The Executive Committee now r_eports as follows:-· Amitr.ia
If invasionsof foot-and-mouth disease continue to be prevented as in recent years, monovalent, bivalent and trivalent vaccin0 can be proparod and supplied at about cost of production, viz.- 4.47, 8.94 and 13.97 Austrian Shillings, respectively per dose or US$ 0.16, 0.32, and 0.50.
Belgium
At present vaccine cannot be delivered at a reducod price but it is.hoped that new reg1,1l,l;l.tions will alter this position;··· In··the··moantime 9 it is very likely that Belgium would assist_ in an emergency. Without any commitment, the price would probably be· 30-35 Belgian francs pe1� triva:lent dose or USj� O.60-0.70.
Denmark
Tho price of vaccine will be based on the cost of procluction and will .:i,n all probability not exceed the price fixed for.Danish use. Without any commit ment, the price for monovalent, bivalent and· tri v.alent ¥accine per dose would be about I)K. 2.15, 4.10 and 6.45 respectively, or US$0.31, US$0.62 and US$0.93.
Netherlands
There should. ho available ·some 3,000 litres of each type of vaccine in 1961, representing about 180,000 doses bf trivalent vaccine. The price would be that paid by the Dutch farmers viz.- 1,0 Guilder per trivalent dose, or US$ 0.27.
Italy
If vaccine protluced from virus cultivated in kidney tissue is introduced for general use in Italy, it will be possible to supply large quantities The price would be that fo·r member countries. fixed by tho Government for vaccine sold in Italy, viz.- Lit. 150 per'monovalent and Lit.· 260 per bivalent dose or US$ 0.26 and US$ 0.42.
Switzerland
The price of vaccine varies somewhat from year to year depending on ·the amount produoed. At present .it· .is ·125 ·Swiss francs per litre based on a pro ducti0n of 5,000 litres. The vaccine now pro ducecl i·s bivalent 0 9 A and the price per bivalont dose is about 3.15 Swiss francs or US$ 0.70. If large quantities of vaccine are ordered it will pro' bahly he posRihla to reduce tho price by 20 percent.
Report of the Joint Meeting with the OIE Foot-ancl-Mouth.Disease·Commission on the importation of meat into Europe At the last Session of the Commission it was decided that a joint meeting ·of representatives of the Commi·ssion and of the Permanent OIE Foot-and-Mouth Disease Commission should be held to discuss prevention of the introduction of exotic typo� of tho virus into Europe in meat and products of animal origin and to prepare recommendations for suitable hold in Brussels in Juno 1960 and an agreed action.· Tho meeting was report was prepared. This report will not, however, be made public until it has boon accepted by the· Commission at this Session and by OIE at its general Session in May 1961. It was felt, however,·that the subject was of such immediate importance that tho rocommendations should be made known without delay to veterinary services. To this end an agreed note· con taining the recommendations was published in tho OIE Bulletin (Vol. LIII, No. 7-8, p. 1137). Implications of tho transference of tho Commission to OIE Following tho reference to this subject made at tho Sov.onth Session of the Commission, it was discussed by the Executive Committee at its last meeting. Tho Secrotariat gave & full account of tho reasons for the establishment of tho Commission in its present form, of the advantages dorivod from its working under the aegis of FAO and of the work accomplished by the Commission, much of ·which had been possible because of the :present constitution of the Commission. The .meeting agreed unanimously to recommoncl· t0 tho Session that the The Commission gave Commission should continue to work as. at present. some consideration to tho possibility of closer linkage with the OIE concerning advisory vro·rk .on foot-and-mouth disease aml it was agreed that ·this should bo further disc.ussed at the ession • . Establishment- of ·an emorgcmcy fund The EJcecutive Cormnittee discussed briefly the possibility of establishing an emergency fund which hacl· been raised at,·earlier sessions and was again brought up at the last session. The main object of establishing such a funcl would be to assist member countries wi'th compensation to owners for _animals.when slaughter was introduced as part'of a cont-rel plan. The Committee felt that it was.necessary to have the views of all the member count:i:-ies and decided- tha_t the subject should be .f'ully discussed at the Eighth Session. ,.
Amenclments to the Commission 1 s Constitution Although the Commission agreecl �t.its Seventh Session that no amend ments shoulcl be made to ·tho Constitution, tho· FAO Council requested that The Executive Cammittee further consideration be given to t.he subject. agreecl that there shoulcl be some further discussion at the next session ancl that the FAO Legal Counsel be invited to make further explanation_s.
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Future Activities The Commission i..vill continue to promoto and encourage national and international action fo.r tho control of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe towards its ultimate eradication.' The object is to arrive at the. position that only sporadic outbreaks occur arid that they are rapidl� eliminp,ted. National conditions and c±rcwnstances will.always be taken into account in advising on control policies. While _tlrn operation of a true slaughter policy throughout Eu.rope is the final stage of control envisaged in the Commission I s Overall Plan, that position has not yet been rea.ched in many countries,., al though it c·ontinues to bo successfully practise cl in some� ,Encouragement will be given to continue vaccination togqther with slaughter of infected herds in countries in which. this is practised and contro� in o�he�s. The sla1:1ghter_no� on�y ?f �o introduc� this plan infected. animal:;:; but also{a:°11 ·animnls· on-·1nfected premises will be insisted Tho control policy in most of the Commission 1 s Member countries are upon. giving fairly satisfactory results and the Commission will continue to keep them under observation and to suggest intensification or alterations when considered necessary ?r desirable.
gf
Special attention will be given to countries in which special problems The Commission's Member countries· in which control difficulties exist. still exist are Port�gal, Italy and Turkey. Portugal is under continuous threat of invasion from Spain and more extensive vaccination is desirable. Although vaccination is practised to a considerable extent in Italy, much wider application of' vaccine is highly desirable as part of tlie control There is already evidence from research work that kidn�y c�l��re policy. virus vaccine can be successfully used il'.l · c·ontrOlling ·:toot�and-mouth disease. The Commission is extremely interested in the research work on ·tho production of effective vaccine by this method and hopes to see its still wider use throughout Italy. Tho position of foot-and-mouth disease in Turkey is important for Eu.rope. Much more· extensive syst'ematic vaccination is essential in Turlcey. While the provision of vaccine at low cost by the Commission's vaccine�_ producing Membe.r countries may assist Turkey to extend vacGination, the position will not be satisf2-ctory until large quantities of vaccine are produced in Turkey and systematic, regular vnocination ·:;i,s.. _introduced;. To this end tho Commission will tnke /ictive steps-to ensi:.ire that the projected foot-1:mcl-mouth dis.ease institute is established, and that a satisfactory vaccination ��ogram is .inatitrited. : . ,
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In order to ·eraclic�te f'o�t-2.ncl-mouth disee..se from tho whole of Europe, countries which are n'ow. non-members of the Commission play an imporkmt part and tho Commfssion· must, as far as possible, use its influence to ensure that adequate control-measures are being practised by ·.; Of these countries }i'rance is all-important because of its geographical them. More satisfactory control measures l�ave recently been introduced position. in France ::i.ml. shnu1d effect better control. It would seem, however, that
the practice of s;ystomatic vaccination of tho whol.0 cattl.o population in the moro heavily infected Deprutments of Franco. may vory woll. become a .J;>ractical proposition The control policy in the Nethorlb.nd's is cm excellent example of suc·c·e/3sful .measures for so improving the foot-nnd-moD_th disease posi ·hon that · outbro aks are reduced to an absolute minimum and the disease is of littlc further economic importance in a country .· The Commission will., however, continue to advise wherever necessary on the· most appropri•c.1.'te measures of c.ontrol in accordance with conditions and nircumstances iri/. a country ·and will continµe to point out that, 'in adclition· to any other measures, tho strict application of seyere veterinary · .�olice measures is an essential part in any control scheme. . Tho Commission will continue to associate closely with OIE in all work on foot-and-mouth disease and will have frequent discussions on all aspects of tho disease and its control. In this connection·it should be mentioned that it has been proposed tha� a joint meeting by OIE and the. European Commission for tlio Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease should take · sion in May 1961. At this meeting it i·s planned place during tho OIE ses th3t the member countries of OIE anrl of the Commission; which are located in South-East Europe, should discuss foot-ancl-m·outh disease problems of mutual interest. Efforts will be made to extend correlation of research work on foot and-mouth disease by inviting representatives of foot-and-mouth_ disease institutes from countries outsicle Europe, to the annual meetings of the research group of the Commission's Standing -Technical.Committee, in which it. has already been agreed that OIE participates. The Commission will continue to keep careful watch on tho prevention of tho introduction of foot-and-mouth disease· into Europe froin outside sources and, together with OIE, will act, immediately·, should an outbreak caused by an exotic typo of the virus occur in Europe.· Tho Secretariat will continue to visit Member countries to obtain information and to advise and consult on control measures, generally and particularly. Visits will also b0 made to non-member countries where deemed advisable and whero tho necessary arrangements can be made in order to discuss control measures. Discussion The :report which hacl bee:ia� preViously distributecl was .discussed.
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