Skopje, 25 January 2024 (MIA) — Food and Veterinary Agency director and World Organization for Animal Health regional general secretary Nikolche Babovski in Brussels on Wednesday took part in the Ministerial Conference on Animal Health organized under the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union.

According to the FVA in a press release, the aim of the conference was to highlight the importance of a preventive approach based on biosecurity and vaccination as tools in the fight against animal diseases.

"Special attention was paid to the situation with African swine fever and highly pathogenic avian influenza. These are two very important epizootic diseases, with significant zoonotic potential in the case of highly pathogenic avian influenza," the release says.

The meeting also highlighted advances in vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza and African swine fever.

Eminent Belgian and Italian experts presented biosecurity measures implemented in their countries and measures taken there to deal with diseases in pigs and poultry, the release quotes Babovski as saying.

A senior representative from the European Food Safety Authority presented recent developments in Europe regarding African swine fever and measures taken to bring it under control.

The conference also heard English, French and Dutch experiences in dealing with highly pathogenic avian influenza. A senior representative of the EU's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety presented updates to European legislation to combat this disease.

At the sidelines of the conference, WOAH's 100th anniversary was marked, pointing to the connection between the health of people, animals and plants to encourage awareness of the exceptional importance of animal health in the wider context.

WOAH is the global authority on animal health. It was founded in 1924 as the Office International des Epizooties. In May 2023, it was renamed World Organization for Animal Health. The intergovernmental organization focuses on transparently disseminating information on animal diseases, improving animal health globally and building a safer, healthier and more sustainable world. mr/