Phat Maintains Fight Against FMD

VIETNAM - Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat told a World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)’s meeting in Hanoi that the drastic efforts they have implemented to bring Foot and Mouth Disease under control will continue.

11 March 2008

1 minute read

Asia

He went on to say that the prevention of infectious diseases in animals and poultry, including the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), draws strong attention from the government and citizens alike.

According to the VietnamNetBridge, a national news agency, the animal husbandry industry has suffered great loss from FMD. These livestock industries account for 22 percent of the agricultural sector’s production value and Vietnam now has some 11 million cattle and 26 million pigs.

Phat told the OIE meeting the government has introduced vaccinations and financial support for culling ill animals and poultry.

He said the government had pledged to spend 36 million USD to curb and settle FMD in the 2006-2010 period, adding that Vietnam has also received vital support from international organisations, including the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and OIE.

The OIE Sub-Commission for FMD in Southeast Asia five-day meeting in Hanoi aims to assess FMD and its prevention in Southeast Asian countries in 2007. It will also cover action programmes for this year.

Representatives from China, Australia and New Zealand are attending the meeting and sharing experiences in dealing with FMD.