Action Area 2 – Risk mitigation
The likelihood of FAST disease outbreaks can be reduced by implementing risk mitigation strategies. This should also mitigate their impact on livestock populations and country economies.
The three key sub-activities:
- 2.1 Livestock biosecurity
Sub-activity 2.1 aims to create targeted communication materials and alert messages to increase FAST disease awareness. Improved knowledge sharing could raise the biosecurity levels during emergencies and in peace time.
Through modelling and socioeconomics, this sub-activity should also contribute to evaluate the impact and cost/benefit of farm biosecurity level.
- 2.2 Evidence of disease freedom
Sub-activity 2.2 supports surveillance for confidence of freedom in line with WOAH standards for FAST diseases, in areas of Europe or its immediate neighbourhood considered at risk (e.g. Thrace) or areas of Europe aiming at regaining disease-free status.
- 2.3 FMDv laboratory biorisk
Sub-activity 2.3 supports the establishment of a biorisk evaluation and advice system for laboratories handling FMD virus, thereby ensuring application of the FMD Minimum Biorisk Management Standards.
This sub-activity should establish a community of practice for biorisk officers, which should act as a platform for the exchange of good practices and discussion of FAST laboratory biosafety and biosecurity.