Reporting on the Tripartite Meeting on FMD and other TADS in the Southern Balkans A

The Chairman thanked Dr Bulut and Avaliani for their proposals, and asked EuFMD to respond to the request of the networks, and this was delegated to Fabrizio Rosso, as the Overall Manager (Supervisor) for the Pillar II (Neighbourhood) workplans.

b) Potential Joint OIE/EuFMD training initiative.

Keith Sumption introduced this item with a presentation (Appendix 16). In March 2017, EuFMD had assisted OIE by providing training in Paris for OIE regional and sub-regional officers, and during this event, discussions had raised the issue that the PCPathway should provide assistance to countries to ensure their national strategies develop in ways that utilise the clauses of the OIE Code that are “safe trade enabling” between countries not free of FMD. The situation facing Europe is that, in the neighbourhood, too often the Code is used in a selective manner, and suppression of surveillance findings, including reporting FMD, is used to enable trade to continue in ways that are likely to increase risks. The Secretary, EuFMD, had consulted with Matthew Stone, DDG-OIE, and with Etienne Bonbon (President, Code Commission) on the particular issues where the lack of uptake and application of Code provisions is of most consequence, and as a result, the EuFMD training team developed a proposal for three courses, of which two were considered higher priority by the OIE.

These two courses were then outlined. For each, it was proposed that EuFMD would develop the training content for review by OIE, and that a blended approach with problem-solving simulations (online in advance plus face to face at a training event) may be most appropriate. The Containment Zone training could be suitable more for free countries outside of the EU, where the regionalization options in response to outbreaks is relevant and is taken up may encourage greater surveillance and early reporting than at present, and with less overall national losses.

Dr Füssel asked, for his records, if the proposal was agreeable to the OIE. Dr Weber-Vintzel, for the OIE, indicate that they strongly welcome and encourage this development. Dr Füssel indicated that in this case it also had his full support.

The Chairman, taking note of the support from the members and Observers, concluded that the new joint training initiative should be added to the work plan, perhaps most appropriately under Pillar II where the countries where this is most needed are. He instructed the Secretariat to proceed with the development on a bilateral basis with the OIE and looked forward to a report on progress by the next Executive.

9. Adoption of the full 24 month workplan

The Chairman then asked the Executive Secretary to present the 24 month (Biennium) workplan and budget for adoption. He did so, bringing attention to the proposed changes in budgets, which include:

- No overall (total ) change in budget, but a change between categories of expenditure, with an increase in the provision for contracts and offset by major decreases in travel and training (costs associated with training excluding travel and staff ); - Re distribution within Pillars, placing less funds on Component 2.1 (West Eurasia) for a more balanced programme in Pillar II;