Six SADC Member States met in Gaborone, Botswana over three days to develop their roadmap and action plans to progress towards FMD control and recognition of freedom in the SADC region. Participating countries were Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, Seychelles and Zimbabwe. The Chairpersons of the Epidemiology & Informatics (Swaziland) and the Veterinary Laboratories (Zimbabwe) Sub Committees were also present.
Group discussion by team from Angola led by Dr (Mrs) B. Santana, Deputy Director of Veterinary Services and the National Epidemiologist, Dr N. Pinto. Picture © N. Mapitse (oie) 2012
In his official opening statement Dr L. Modisa, DVS Botswana and OIE Delegate, stated that effective control of FMD within SADC is achievable and will improve livelihoods of people through safe trade. Mr B. Hulman encouraged the Member Countries to increase intraregional trade by implementing OIE standards which are not geographically based and have a commodity approach. He informed the participants that SADC was considering to develop a regional FMD control strategy in line with the Global Strategy and FMD PCP and as a result the outcomes from this meeting were very important to guide this initiative.
All pictures © N. Mapitse (oie) 2012
