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Moldovan veterinarians, employees from regulating agencies and farmer association leaders participated in a two-day workshop on African swine fever control and prevention, organized by FAO in partnership with the country’s National Food Safety Agency.
During the workshop, participants got updates on prevention and control measures planned by Moldovan authorities, and learned new methods and strategies from FAO international experts. The workshop marks the start of an FAO-financed project for Moldova on transboundary animal diseases.
"One of the most important components in the prevention and control of ASF is the capacity to make informed operative decisions,” said FAO Assistant FAO Representative in Moldova Tudor Robu. “That is why FAO is proposing a new approach with the Decision Support Tool. This mechanism has been successfully implemented in other countries in the region and should prove to be a useful tool for Moldova, too.” Other activities include a review of current legislation and regulations on the disease for the development of a preparedness strategy and contingency plan, and organization of a simulation exercise on surveillance, prevention and control.
Vsevolod Stamati, deputy head of the National Food Safety Agency, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the face of transboundary diseases.
African swine fever was confirmed in Moldova on 3 October 2016 – by the European Union and FAO Reference Laboratory for ASF – after the National Food Safety Agency sent 13 samples collected on 23, 24 and 26 September. The samples came from seven domestic pigs, from Mosana and Cernoleuca villages in Donduseni county in northern Moldova. According to the Agency, the affected areas have been isolated through sanitary filters.
Wednesday October 26, 2016/ FAO-Europe.
http://www.fao.org/europe
