Brussels unveils virus proposals

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
http://www.fwi.co.uk/article.asp?con=8414&sec=18&hier=2

News

Brussels unveils virus proposals Source: FWi 18 December 2002

By Philip Clarke

BRUSSELS has unveiled proposals to give emergency vaccination a central role in the event of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Food safety commissioner David Byrne launched European Commission proposals for controlling foot-and-mouth on Wednesday (18 December).

"General prophylactic vaccination is not advisable for sound scientific, technical and commercial reasons," he said.

"But emergency vaccination should be moved to the forefront in the event of a future outbreak."

At the moment, emergency vaccination can be used only if a member state obtains permission from the commission.

The UK and the Netherlands were granted permission to use vaccination during last year’s foot-and-mouth epidemic, but only the Netherlands used it.

The new legislation would enable Brussels to initiate vaccination, but it would still have to be approved by a majority of member states.

Using emergency vaccination had become more viable, said Mr Byrne.

This followed the development of validated tests to distinguish between treated animals and infected animals.

In line with international requirements, the proposals also show how countries can recover "free of FMD without vaccination" status within six months.

Such status is essential for meat exports.

Mr Byrne said there was no need to label meat separately just because it had come from vaccinated animals.

"Animals are treated with medication on a regular basis anyway," he said.

"There is no danger and it is essential that customers become accustomed to that."

But he made it clear that vaccination was not enough on its own.

"Proper contingency planning is also critically important."

Mr Byrne pointed to a ban on swill feeding which has already come into force, and a ban on personal meat imports to the European Union, due to start on 1 January.

New legislation on staging posts and sheep ID are also in the pipeline.
                        

Originally from: Farmtalking
                        
http://www.fwi.co.uk/article.asp?con=8414&sec=18&hier=2

News

Brussels unveils virus proposals Source: FWi 18 December 2002

By Philip Clarke

BRUSSELS has unveiled proposals to give emergency vaccination a central role in the event of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Food safety commissioner David Byrne launched European Commission proposals for controlling foot-and-mouth on Wednesday (18 December).

"General prophylactic vaccination is not advisable for sound scientific, technical and commercial reasons," he said.

"But emergency vaccination should be moved to the forefront in the event of a future outbreak."

At the moment, emergency vaccination can be used only if a member state obtains permission from the commission.

The UK and the Netherlands were granted permission to use vaccination during last year’s foot-and-mouth epidemic, but only the Netherlands used it.

The new legislation would enable Brussels to initiate vaccination, but it would still have to be approved by a majority of member states.

Using emergency vaccination had become more viable, said Mr Byrne.

This followed the development of validated tests to distinguish between treated animals and infected animals.

In line with international requirements, the proposals also show how countries can recover "free of FMD without vaccination" status within six months.

Such status is essential for meat exports.

Mr Byrne said there was no need to label meat separately just because it had come from vaccinated animals.

"Animals are treated with medication on a regular basis anyway," he said.

"There is no danger and it is essential that customers become accustomed to that."

But he made it clear that vaccination was not enough on its own.

"Proper contingency planning is also critically important."

Mr Byrne pointed to a ban on swill feeding which has already come into force, and a ban on personal meat imports to the European Union, due to start on 1 January.

New legislation on staging posts and sheep ID are also in the pipeline.