The U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) are joining forces to combat foot and mouth disease (FMD) on a global scale, laying out a detailed strategy June 27 to bring the devastating livestock disease under control.
The two organizations emphasized, however, that only solid commitments from global partners will make the strategy possible, as they opened an international meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, supported by the Thai Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperatives.
FAO is emphasizing the need for collective action to better control FMD where it is a high burden to millions of farmers, pastoralists and commercial operators.
FMD is not a direct threat to human health. However, lost trade opportunities for affected countries are a global economic burden and a hindrance on human development.
"One main objective of the global strategy is to allow FMD control worldwide through the strengthening of veterinary services responsible for animal disease control," explained OIE director general Bernard Vallat.
"The successful eradication of rinderpest, a joint effort by scientists, governments, donors, veterinarians and farmers, clearly shows that we can reduce and even eliminate the threat of major diseases," added FAO chief veterinary officer Juan Lubroth.
"We could apply lessons learned and appropriate approaches when it comes to FMD: better surveillance, coordination and control to reduce FMD outbreaks and finally eliminate the virus, to safeguard food security, animal health and human health," he said...
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Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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