EC support for animal disease control and eradication in the Western Balkans

ScofcahBrussels11 April 2013

DG SANCO Unit G5 Veterinary programmes

Meeting of Western Balkanand neighbouring MS 

Chief Veterinary Officers7 March 2013

BrusselsTHIS EVENT HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY TAIEX

Project IPA Support for the control and eradication of animal diseases in the WB

Contracting Authorities

• IPA Multi-beneficiary Project• EuropeAid/129988/C/SER/MULTI

• DG Enlargement & DG Health and Consumers• delegated responsibility: Unit G5-Veterinary

Programmes

Project Aims

• To support improvements in regional and cross-border cooperation within the Western Balkans

• To facilitate harmonisation and coordination of eradication and control activities at a regional level.

Project scope

• Primary focus on 2 major transboundarydiseases:• Rabies• Classical Swine Fever (CSF)

• Complementary benefits to disease control and eradication systems in general

July 2011 – September 2013

Task Force1 March 2012

Beneficiary countries

Project Results1. Reporting

• Provide current information on the WB epidemiological situation and eradication programmes for rabies and CSF

2. Technical support• Assist the beneficiary authorities to design,

implement and deliver IPA-supported eradication programmes.

3. Network building• Establish sustainable links between WB veterinary

services and promote cooperation & collaboration between them

Challenges

• Adoption of measures at national level to consolidate the network & expand collaboration opportunities

• Ensure the sustainability of the network beyond the lifetime of the Multi-Beneficiary project-September 2013

These challenges were discussed during a meeting of WB and neighbouring MS- CVOs and DG SANCO held in Brussels on 7 March 2013

Meeting of Western Balkanand neighbouring MS 

Chief Veterinary Officers7 March 2013

BrusselsTHIS EVENT HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY TAIEX

1. Disease eradication programmesRecommendation:

Establishment of programmes for the eradication of rabies and CSF with targets for surveillance and vaccinationRegular monitoring of progress and resultsCost estimations

Conclusions:+Annual orders and legislation are in place in the WB countries

- More is needed: objectives and setting of time limitsEvaluation of costs: support is neededHarmonisation across borders

Solid programmes will "atract" external funding

2.Laboratory networkRecommendation:

Designation of one or more NRLs and communication to EURLsand other NRLs in the region for cooperationDesignation of responsibilities and financial supportInvolvement in the design and implementation of eradication programmesImport procedures

Conclusions:•Most of the countries have designated NRLs•Specific financial support to carry out activities is not alwaysavailable•Open for further collaboration within the region and international labs•Support from more experienced labs•EU-RLS Support is available

3.Oral rabies vaccinationRecommendation:

Ensure continuation of ORVProactive search for securing funds- IPA

Conclusions:ORV procurement has been a critical problem causing delays in tenderingORV procurement document is therefore very much welcomedNot compulsory, each country to adaptCommon tender procedures is a good optionFunding problems: IPA-national budget

4.Epidemiological data sharingRecommendation:

Regular exchange of data between veterinary servicesPositive and negative results and vaccinationUse of CSF wild boar database and WHO rabies bulletinADNS

Conclusions:•Agreement in the need and usefulness•Good message about functioning of the veterinary services and transparency•Avoid duplication of efforts:

• ADNS to ADIS: only one submission

5.CSF regional strategyRecommendation:

Coordinated strategy in the regionPassive and active surveillance in domestic pigs and wild boar

Conclusions:• Regional strategy needed to stop vaccination• OIE code in preparation• Backyard holdings-lack of information

6. Wildlife surveillance

Recommendation:Surveillance plans to establish the prevalenceInfo on sampling procedures for hunters and field vetsCross-border coordination in hot spotsNeed of further data

Conclusions:Insufficient population and surveillance dataSharing data across bordersHot spot management strategiesTechnical missions by the project in the coming months

7.Sustainable network

Recommendation:Continue efforts to build up the network

Conclusions:Regional project recognised as usefulRegional strategy importanceExtension to other diseases: brucellosis, ASF, FMD …Need for EU funding

Sustainable working-ConclusionsSANCO•CVO meetings -TAIEX support.

•Laboratory network workshops-TAIEX

•Inclusion of WB labs in the EURLs activities (workshops and proficiency tests)

•BTSF training: example contingency planning, emerging animal diseases

•Technical support from task force subgroups (CSF, TB and rabies)

Other issues discussed

• TRACES• ADNS• Brucellosis• OIE standard setting and WB involvement

More info in the Project Website

http://www.ipawb-csf-rabies.eu

Thank you for your attention