March 21, 2008

EU funds project against FMD in Turkey

Turkey has launched a new EU-funded project against FMD.

The project, launched by the Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mehmet Mehdi Eker, and Ulrike Hauer from the EC Delegation to Turkey, would see six vaccination campaigns over a three-year period, starting in spring.

Turkey aims to achieve foot and mouth free status in the Turkish province Thrace and to have a sufficient immunity level for the control of the disease in the rest of the country.

The project will provide vaccine, vaccination equipment and necessary materials for sero-surveillance of the disease throughout the country.

The European Commission has pledged to continue to support Turkey in its efforts to eradicate the disease.