Positive economic effects generated by turnover of pigs and pork products are directly linked to acquirement of classical swine fever-free country status and establishment of a viable damage compensation mechanism in the event of contagious diseases in animals. This is one of the conclusions of the National Conference organised by Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, with support from the EU Delegation to Serbia.
The Conference presented the results of the two-year EU-funded project “Capacity building for development of the national animal disease compensation fund and other services”.
“Within this project a great deal has been done in terms of harmonisation of domestic regulation with EU standards in the area of control of classical swine fever and rabies. Strategies and documents have been drafted and their consistent implementation should secure the status of swine fever and rabies-free country, the status which brings multiple benefits to public and animal health and economy of the country,” said State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Zeljko Radosevic at the opening of the Conference.
Acting Director of Veterinary Directorate Miodrag Pavlovic said that contribution to the country’s economy is reflected in the stabilisation of national production and turnover of pigs, rehabilitation of export of pigs and pork products and increased trust in safety and quality of products among consumers.
Richаrd Mаšа of the EU Delegation to Serbia said the EU prioritised animal disease prevention and control through common legislation in this area and call for a responsible and comprehensive approach which entails shared responsibility among public administration, producers and the industry in the process of protecting health of people and animals, because they are closely linked to each other.
Veterinary Directorate has, with the support from the EU, organised trainings across Serbia with the aim to strengthen capacity of veterinary services and establish closer cooperation among veterinarians, inspections, producers, farmers and the Directorate. Particular attention has been paid to the thorough and comprehensive immunisation of pigs against swine fever, which should be carried out throughout Serbia in 2016. The EU has funded the purchase of six million vaccines, whereas the Republic of Serbia will secure resources for free vaccination and increase capacity for the monitoring and control of immunisation process and turnover of pigs.
This comprehensive and thorough activity is necessary in order to achieve the final goal – cessation of vaccination against classical swine fever, one of the critical conditions for the status of classical swine fever-free country, which would allow for turnover of pigs and pork products on European and other markets with similar limitations. The activity will significantly broaden the scope of vaccination and improve the level of biosecurity and turnover of pigs, the main reasons to prevent the eradication of swine fever thus far.
