FAO/OIE Sub-Regional Meeting of Global Framework for the progressive control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) for SAARC Region
(Kathmandu, Nepal, 4-5 June 2009)
The FAO/OIE Sub-Regional Meeting of Global Framework for the progressive control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) for SAARC Region was held in Kathmandu in collaboration with SAARC Secretariat and hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nepal on 4-5 June 2009. This Meeting was one of the three Sub-Regional Meetings planned for 2009 in Asia and the Pacific (others are for SPC and ASEAN Regions).
The purpose of the Sub-regional GF-TADs meeting for SAARC is to
(a) set up a regional node of GF-TADs for the SAARC region and the institutional arrangement that will be most suitable for implementation;
(b) review recent development in regional efforts undertaken in the framework of GF-TADs in the SAARC region and
(c) define short-term and long-term strategies for the regional effort to control and eradicate TADs from the region.
The outcome of the meeting will be presented to the 3rd Regional Steering Committee Meeting of GF-TADs for Asia and the Pacific which is planned in Tokyo, Japan, on 23-24 July 2009.
The Meeting was attended by 21 participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and SAARC Secretariat, FAO (Rome, Bangkok and Nepal) and OIE (Tokyo).
The opening and welcome addresses were delivered by Dr T. Fujita (Secretary of GF-TADs Regional Steering Committee, and OIE Asia-Pacific), Dr J. Domenech (FAO, HQ in Rome), Mr R. Hamidullah (SAARC Secretariat, Nepal) and Dr P. Pathak, Director General of Department of Livestock Services, Nepal (host country).
The background together with a way forward of the Meeting was explained by Dr T. Fujita (Permanent Secretariat).
From OIE Asia-Pacific, Dr I. Shimohira reported his paper on HPAI Control in Asia by OIE Asia-Pacific. Dr Than Hla, Consultant, joined the Mission and shared chairmanship of one session of the Meeting and played as a rapporteur.
The SAARC has developed its own GF-TADs proposal with assistance from FAO and OIE. The programme proposal was finalized in February 2005. The document was duly approved by the Policy Council of Ministers of SAARC members.
In the process of developing the Sub-Regional programme, several consultative meetings were convened to discuss the issue in detail. SAARC member states agreed on the locations of the relevant GF-TADs key institutions. Nepal was to host RSU; whereas leading laboratories for FMD, PPR and HPAI were proposed to be located in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, respectively.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
- So far, the SAARC CVOs Meetings have developed a broad and generic roadmap for TADs control, and more specific strategies and roadmaps should be developed for each of the priority diseases identified for the region, taking into account specific regional issues. In this regard the following is recommended:
- As part of the global effort to control FMD, a number of regions in the world have moved toward developing regional road maps for FMD control. In order to support this global effort and to provide strong thrust to the control of FMD in SAARC countries it is recommended that a road map for FMD towards progressive control and eradication be developed for the sub-region.
- Recognizing that PPR is endemic in the SAARC region and its economic importance to the livestock industry of member countries, the meeting recommends that a regional strategy for PPR control and eradication be developed based on the global Rinderpest Eradication Programme model.
- While all SAARC member countries have national strategies to control HPAI in poultry, given the regional importance of the disease, the meeting recommends that a Sub-Regional HPAI Strategy to cover SAARC member countries be developed as soon as possible and to be compatible with the FAO/OIE Global Strategy on the Control of HPAI.
- The disease specific roadmaps should be developed with the CVOs of each country based on the already agreed GF-TADs Framework for SAARC, taking into account the need for harmonization of approaches, including the need for regional epidemiological studies based on pathogen ecology, management of cross border livestock movement, disease information sharing, and improved understanding of the biological (particularly genetic and immunological) characteristics of pathogens, and the mechanism of provision of vaccines in case of emergencies.
- In order to enhance more regional coordination using the GF-TADs framework, the meeting emphasized on early implementation of GF-TADs in SAARC, by early establishment of RSU and all associated units and networks.
- Considering the rapid spread of A/H1N1 influenza in humans, the propensity of the virus to recombine with other Influenza A viruses, and the presence of H5N1 virus in the region, it is recommended that in the context of SAARC member countries a surveillance strategies for H1N1 and H5N1 be developed in pigs and mixed pig-poultry farming systems and overall capacity building in the region to diagnose this disease be strengthened.
- In the context of long term capacity building for the region to control TADs and EIDs, it is recommended that SAARC countries are encouraged when appropriate to have their veterinary services assessed using OIE PVS tool, and PVS gap analysis (OIE in collaboration with FAO and other partners).
In the meantime the meeting acknowledges and supports the ongoing work on HPAI and FMD being conducted by FAO and OIE in some countries and the sub-region.
Given the increasing importance of emerging infectious diseases it is recommended that broader capacity on early detection and response be developed in the region and greater cross-sectoral collaboration be promoted on the broad principles of One World One Health.
The meeting recognizes and appreciates the efforts of FAO and OIE in fostering regional cooperation and collaboration for improved control of TADs in SAARC countries.
(Conclusions and Recommendations (PDF))