FVA officially requested vaccines from Turkey and the European Commission

The Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA) has officially submitted a request for a donation of sheep pox vaccines to the European Commission and to the Republic of Turkey, the FVA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE) announced today. The request follows the registration of a large number of dead sheep.

The expert group is meeting continuously to adopt measures, and assistance has again been requested from the EUVET team of the European Commission to address the disease.

"- Upon receiving a response regarding vaccination, testing of the safety and purity of the vaccine will be carried out, after which vaccination will begin. At the moment the stamping out strategy is being applied, say the FVA and MAFWE."

The authorities warn that any vaccination carried out at the farmer's own expense, without prior approval from the Agency, will be sanctioned and there will be no compensation for sick animals or indemnity for seized animals. Likewise, veterinary associations that carry out illegal vaccinations or activities that are of a public character will be sanctioned.

"- We ask livestock breeders to report all suspected cases of the disease to the Food and Veterinary Agency and to cooperate with official veterinarians and veterinary associations during the depopulation of animals - states the press release."

Dispute over handling of dead animals in Sokolarci

The FVA also denied the claims made in a video address yesterday by Naser Džemaili, president of the Association of Sheep Breeders "Modern Shepherd", regarding alleged lack of coordination in handling the seized sheep in the village of Sokolarci. The Agency clarifies that the location shown in the video is the site where, in accordance with all biosecurity measures for the safe removal of sheep and goats, burial of the animals was carried out.

"- The sheep and goats are covered with a larger layer of soil, the site has been appropriately disinfected and marked that there is a danger of an infectious disease here. The found sheep and goats originate from breeders where the disease is present and who are carrying out illegal vaccination with substandard vaccines illegally procured from Turkey - say the FVA and MAFWE."

The statement emphasizes that the removal of dead animals is the responsibility of the local government and that it must act appropriately. "- From the farm to the burial site all biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease have been observed. Actions by individuals can only further spread the disease to places where it is not confirmed - state the FVA."

The authorities stress that vaccination will begin only after the vaccines are obtained and after testing their safety and purity, and until that happens, they say, the depopulation (stamping out) strategy is being applied.

Photo: press material from the event