Switzerland tackles threat of livestock diseases
BSE, bird flu, foot and mouth, bluetongue, swine flu - it's been an active decade for animal diseases and Swiss authorities are now preparing for the next wave.
On Tuesday (March 2), the Federal Veterinary Office (FVO) presented a five-point plan for 2010-20, which focuses on prevention. The strategy, developed in conjunction with the cantonal authorities, also includes improved disease testing at all stages from farm to food plant.
''The vector carriers of these pathogens are able to survive the winter in non-tropical countries, noting that diseases such as Rift Valley fever, existing in Africa with vectors, like mosquitoes, are now able to survive the winter in Europe could colonise non-tropical countries and we must be ready for that,'' Vallat warned.
He explained that support has to be developed for countries where pathogens still exist and help poor countries to improve veterinary services to control the diseases.
In addition, Switzerland signed an accord on Tuesday with the OIE agreeing to contribute SFR200,000 (US$186,736) annually over the next three years to the global fund for the health and well-being of animals. The money will be used to support veterinary services in developing and emerging economies.
As part of national strategy preparation measures, the Swiss authorities will carry out a simulation exercise in 2011 testing the response to an outbreak of a highly contagious animal disease.
