OIE recognizes China BSE risk as negligible
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) granted China
negligible bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk disease status at the
third Plenary Meeting of the 82th General Session in Paris on May 27, 2014. Dr.
Karin Schwabenbauer, President of the Assembly and Dr. Bernard Vallat, Director
General of the OIE issued the certificate and extended congratulations to the
Chinese delegation on May 29, 2014.
This event indicates the recognition of international
community for China's effective animal disease control system, and the
world-leading expertise on BSE prevention. It is believed that the designation
will play an important role in ensuring animal-derived food safety and public
health in China, and facilitating beef trade in international market.
BSE, or "mad cow disease" is a progressive neurological
disorder of cattle that results from infection by an unusual transmissible agent
called a prion.
In order to mitigate BSE-related risks towards public health, the OIE
encourages its members to enhance their risk control capacity and conduct risk
assessment in this regard.
According to the OIE's classification, there are three BSE
risk status, namely undetermined risk, controlled risk and negligible
risk.
Up to now there have been no BSE cases detected in China. In
order to prevent BSE transmission from abroad, the Ministry of Agriculture of
China has adopted the following measures for BSE risk control since 1990:
First of all, MOA set up the National Reference Laboratory and specialized
laboratories on BSE, established OIE-acknowledged diagnosis methods and a
quality standard system, and has carried out monitoring activities across the
country for 12 years.
Second, with joint efforts of other competent authorities,
MOA has imposed bans on the import of meat and bone meal, bone meal and other
specified risk materials derived from ruminant animals from infected countries
and regions.
Third, MOA reinforced its supervision and regulation over
feed industry.
For example, MOA issued restrictions on importing feeds of
animal origin from high-risk areas in1999, and placed a comprehensive ban on
using feeds of animal origin for ruminants in 2001.
In September 2013, on behalf of China, MOA submitted the
application for negligible BSE risk status to OIE.
And based on the results of strict assessments, the OIE determined to grant
China the negligible status with an unanimous vote at the 82th General
Session.
China also got the certificate of being free from African Horse Sickness at
this Session.
Article source: MOA
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