Issues related to the procedure for submitting an application to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) for obtaining the country's official status regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), risk assessment, and epizootic surveillance, WOAH requirements that must be met to obtain the relevant status, and WOAH recommendations regarding trade were discussed during consultations organized by the Eurasian Economic Commission jointly with the WOAH Regional Office for Europe for the authorized veterinary bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union countries.
A large focus was placed on changes to the BSE standards in the Terrestrial Animal Code adopted by the WOAH, and their practical application. The main changes include a shift from a point-based epizootic surveillance system to a targeted one, as well as the need to assess the risk of the pathogen affecting the livestock population, regardless of the result of the entry risk assessment. In order to harmonize BSE surveillance systems at the national level with the WOAH requirements, the “Guidelines for targeted BSE surveillance” were developed.“The issue of obtaining controlled or low-risk status for BSE is relevant today, as holding this status allows a country to significantly strengthen its export potential,” noted Vladimir Subbotin, Deputy Director of the EEC Department for Sanitary, Phytosanitary, and Veterinary Measures.
The event attendees were informed about the process for confirming the country's official BSE status already granted by the WOAH, which must be carried out annually.“Understanding the WOAH standards for this disease is of paramount importance for preparing a country’s application for official BSE status. This work requires the involvement of the country’s entire veterinary service, including public authorities, laboratories, and veterinary specialists,” emphasized Budimir Plavsic, Head of the WOAH Regional Representative Office.
Representatives from the Russian reference laboratory for rabies and BSE, the Federal State-Financed Institution “Federal Centre for Animal Health,” and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs shared their positive experiences in obtaining official status regarding controlled or negligible BSE risk, as well as in organizing a disease surveillance system.
The consultations were attended by representatives of the authorized bodies and subordinate agencies of the EAEU countries. Presentations were delivered by leading experts from the WOAH, the Federal State-Financed Institution “Federal Centre for Animal Health,” the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and independent experts.
The World Organization for Animal Health is an intergovernmental organization responsible for animal health worldwide. It is recognized as a reference organization by the WTO.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is a chronic disease with a long incubation period; its diagnosis and the epizootic situation monitoring require significant organizational efforts and material costs. This disease registered in the country sharply limits (up to a ban) the possibility of moving beef and other products obtained from the slaughter of bovine cattle to other Union States, as well as exports to third countries.
