Russian govt to tighten control over veterinary security
MOSCOW. May 17 (Interfax) - The Russian authorities will step up measures to control veterinary security in the country and prevent the spread of dangerous animal diseases, a list of instructions approved by Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko after a meeting of the government's anti-epizootic commission indicated.
Abramchenko's press service said there were almost half as many outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) reported in Russia in 2022 than a year earlier. However, given the persistently troubled situation with ASF, bird flu and foot-and-mouth disease in border countries of Asia and the Caucasus, the threat of these diseases spreading in Russia remains, it said.
"Therefore, the government approved a new action plan to improve veterinary security. The document brings together a set of organizational and anti-epizootic measures, the strict fulfilment of which will make it possible to prevent the emergence and reduce the spread of particularly dangerous animal diseases," the press service quoted Abramchenko as saying.
The key measures to enforce veterinary security are still preventative vaccination of animals and control over compliance with veterinary standards.
The commission's instructions include organizing enclosed accommodation of animals in areas that border the countries of Asia and the Caucasus; updating records on all farm animals; and conducting regular monitoring of particularly dangerous cattle, sheep and goat diseases with collection of samples from susceptible animals, including wild ones.
In addition, regional authorities have been told to take steps to outfit veterinary services so they are in a position to respond promptly and effectively to outbreaks of particularly dangerous animal diseases. Accredited labs must have reserves of disinfectants, vaccines and personal protection equipment in the event of an emergency.
The commission also recommended taking measures to increase the share of insured farm animals.
Following discussions of ways to tighten control over veterinary security, plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor was asked to draft government instructions to conduct unscheduled field inspections in 2023.
The Agriculture Ministry, Rosselkhoznadzor and Economic Development Ministry have been given until August 14 to work out the issue of possibly introducing constant state oversight over legal entities and individual entrepreneurs who keep, breed and slaughter animals, as well as store, process, produce and sell animal products.