EU Agriculture Council Adopts New FMD Directive
By Rick Mitchell
The European Union’s Agriculture Council adopted September 29 a new directive establishing the minimal measures that member states must take to combat foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
Largely inspired by the UK’s disastrous outbreak in 2001, the new directive is not so much an overhaul as it is an update of the previous version, 85/511/EEC. It still relies on prompt slaughter of infected herds to eradicate an outbreak, and it does not bring back preventive vaccination, banned in 1992.
However, taking note of recent scientific advances and changes in international commerce laws, the directive adds emergency vaccination to the disease-fighting toolbox. Experts said this strategy would allow the EU to maintain its internationally recognized status of “free from FMD without vaccination,” which is crucial for trade.
FMD is a highly contagious degenerative viral disease, primarily affecting cloven-hoof farm animals. It is characterized by fever, followed by vesicles erupting around the mouth and hooves.
It poses no health risk to humans, but outbreaks can cause hugely expensive livestock losses. Consequently, it tops the List A diseases of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE).
The new directive requires swift reaction to a suspected case to prevent spread, starting with notification of authorities. It sets out laboratory procedures for confirming an initial case and epidemiological tests to determine how far the disease has spread and is likely to spread.
A confirmed outbreak should kick off rapid slaughter of infected animals, followed by carcass disposal, disinfection and other cleaning. Animals within susceptible species that are suspected of infection can also be preventively slaughtered.
Thanks to new laboratory tests that make it possible to distinguish vaccinated herds from infected ones, authorities can now resort to emergency vaccination when outbreaks threaten to become widespread or when other member states are at risk.
The directive also allows for vaccination if infection spreads to wild animals or zoo animals, or to conserve “farm-animal genetic resources” (rare breeds).
FMD spreads by direct or indirect contact with infected animals, mechanically by movement of animals, persons, vehicles and other virus-contaminated things. Airborne spread is also possible, depending on weather conditions and local topography.
To combat disease-spread before an infection source is confirmed, veterinary services can establish surveillance zones and impose a temporary transportation ban in large portions of affected member states.
As soon as FMD is confirmed, authorities must establish a “protection zone” with a minimum radius of 3km around the outbreak, and a surveillance zone with a minimum 10km radius. They must immediately prepare for emergency vaccination in an area at least as big as the surveillance zone. Movement, gatherings, artificial insemination and transport, are strictly controlled.
Some FMD outbreaks have been linked to infected meat and meat products. The directive stipulates that meat and meat products from protection and surveillance zones must be heat treated, deboned and matured. Milk must be pasteurized.
Using "regionalization," the directive allows strict controls in certain parts of the Community without threatening the Community’s overall interests. This point is particularly important if a vaccination zone is created.
Meat and milk from these zones also have to be treated and carry a special health mark. An exception is possible for the sale of untreated products from vaccinated ruminants and pigs on the domestic market, provided that testing proves disease-free status.
Following OIE guidelines, after emergency vaccination, disease-free status can be regained 6 months after the last vaccination, if absence of infection can be proved.
In 2001, the waiting period was 12 months. Vaccinated animals from herds that have recovered disease-free status can be transported within the affected member state but cannot be sold in other member states.
In 2001, some 2,030 cases of the foot-and-mouth disease were confirmed in the UK and Northern Ireland. About 6 million animals were slaughtered. Tourism and the rural economy suffered losses estimated at £5 billion. Government compensation to farmers for animals slaughtered topped £1.34bn.
Farmers criticized the UK government for its handling of the crisis, especially for a shortage of adequately trained veterinarians. The new directive stresses planning, including for a worst-case scenario. Plans must be regularly evaluated and updated in light of the results of real-time alert exercises. The new EU law requires a European bank for antigens and vaccines, as well availability of test kits and other diagnostics.
Member states have until June 30, 2004, to adopt the directive into their national legislation, and it must take effect by July 1, 2004. They are free to take more stringent measures.
