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3. The deterioration of FMD control procedures in Transcaucasia and Central Asia has increased the risk of the introduction of FMDV particularly for the Russian Federation and possibly also for Europe. 4. Russia is currently free from FMD but due to economic pressures the size of its national buffer zone in northern Caucasia may be reduced. 5. The FMD situation in Kazakhstan, which shares a long border with Russia, has deteriorated in recent years. This part of Russia’s southern border is not protected by a buffer zone and so there is a major risk that animal trade could transport virus northwards through this gap in Russia’s defences. 6. Transcaucasian countries have insufficient resources, infrastructure, legislation and laboratory support to implement effective disease control measures when outbreaks of FMD are reported. 7. There is a shortage of vaccine for use in Transcaucasian countries and the locally produced vaccine (from Armenia and Georgia) is not fully quality controlled. 8. The results of the tests for non-structural antibodies indicate that FMD virus was circulating in the three Transcaucasian Republics during 1999 and 2000. Recommendations: 1. Actions and strategies which aim to achieve particular control and eradication objectives under different circumstances in which sheep are a major component of the livestock population should be implemented. 2. Studies should be initiated to determine the feasibility of measures to reduce the risk associated with trade in intestines for sausage casings and these measures should be submitted to the OIE Code Commission for consideration. 3. From a strategical point of view, and considering the endemic situation of FMDV in Transcaucasian countries, priority should be given to the strengthening of the Russian buffer zones and to the improvement of surveillance and control programmes in the Transcaucasian region. 4. The national buffer zones in Russia (northern Caucasian region and the extreme east region) should be maintained and surveillance continued, including the application of the 3ABC ELISA to detect any possible entry of virus. 5. The ARRIAH, Russia, sends to the WRL, Pirbright, representative samples of the FMD virus isolates which it receives from the ex-USSR countries. 6. The FMD vaccine used in the Transcaucasian region should comply with the OIE manual requirements.
