Author:
Hodnik Jaka Jakob,Acinger-Rogić Žaklin,Alishani Mentor,Autio Tiina,Balseiro Ana,Berezowski John,Carmo Luís Pedro,Chaligiannis Ilias,Conrady Beate,Costa Lina,Cvetkovikj Iskra,Davidov Ivana,Dispas Marc,Djadjovski Igor,Duarte Elsa Leclerc,Faverjon Céline,Fourichon Christine,Frössling Jenny,Gerilovych Anton,Gethmann Jörn,Gomes Jacinto,Graham David,Guelbenzu Maria,Gunn George J.,Henry Madeleine K.,Hopp Petter,Houe Hans,Irimia Elena,Ježek Jožica,Juste Ramon A.,Kalaitzakis Emmanouil,Kaler Jasmeet,Kaplan Selcuk,Kostoulas Polychronis,Kovalenko Kaspars,Kneževič Nada,Knific Tanja,Koleci Xhelil,Madouasse Aurélien,Malakauskas Alvydas,Mandelik Rene,Meletis Eleftherios,Mincu Madalina,Mõtus Kerli,Muñoz-Gómez Violeta,Niculae Mihaela,Nikitović Jelena,Ocepek Matjaž,Tangen-Opsal Marie,Ózsvári László,Papadopoulos Dimitrios,Papadopoulos Theofilos,Pelkonen Sinikka,Polak Miroslaw Pawel,Pozzato Nicola,Rapaliuté Eglé,Ribbens Stefaan,Niza-Ribeiro João,Roch Franz-Ferdinand,Rosenbaum Nielsen Liza,Saez Jose Luis,Nielsen Søren Saxmose,van Schaik Gerdien,Schwan Ebba,Sekovska Blagica,Starič Jože,Strain Sam,Šatran Petr,Šerić-Haračić Sabina,Tamminen Lena-Mari,Thulke Hans-Hermann,Toplak Ivan,Tuunainen Erja,Verner Sharon,Vilček Štefan,Yildiz Ramazan,Santman-Berends Inge M. G. A.
Abstract
The COST action “Standardising output-based surveillance to control non-regulated diseases of cattle in the European Union (SOUND control),” aims to harmonise the results of surveillance and control programmes (CPs) for non-EU regulated cattle diseases to facilitate safe trade and improve overall control of cattle infectious diseases. In this paper we aimed to provide an overview on the diversity of control for these diseases in Europe. A non-EU regulated cattle disease was defined as an infectious disease of cattle with no or limited control at EU level, which is not included in the European Union Animal health law Categories A or B under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2002. A CP was defined as surveillance and/or intervention strategies designed to lower the incidence, prevalence, mortality or prove freedom from a specific disease in a region or country. Passive surveillance, and active surveillance of breeding bulls under Council Directive 88/407/EEC were not considered as CPs. A questionnaire was designed to obtain country-specific information about CPs for each disease. Animal health experts from 33 European countries completed the questionnaire. Overall, there are 23 diseases for which a CP exists in one or more of the countries studied. The diseases for which CPs exist in the highest number of countries are enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhoea and anthrax (CPs reported by between 16 and 31 countries). Every participating country has on average, 6 CPs (min–max: 1–13) in place. Most programmes are implemented at a national level (86%) and are applied to both dairy and non-dairy cattle (75%). Approximately one-third of the CPs are voluntary, and the funding structure is divided between government and private resources. Countries that have eradicated diseases like enzootic bovine leukosis, bluetongue, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhoea have implemented CPs for other diseases to further improve the health status of cattle in their country. The control of non-EU regulated cattle diseases is very heterogenous in Europe. Therefore, the standardising of the outputs of these programmes to enable comparison represents a challenge.