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The European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

The European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD) was launched in June 1954. It is an independent commission seated in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

The EuFMD workplan is based on the Three Pillars of the EuFMD strategy. It works with member countries on preparedness, with European neighbours to put in place sustainable control programmes, and to support and promote the progressive control of FMD in all regions under the Global FMD Control Strategy of FAO and OIE. Under a framework of co-ordination with EC (DG-SANTE), FAO and OIE, the EuFMD has played a significant role in reducing the risk and ensuring better preparedness. Partly as a result of this, the EU has not had, for the first time it is history, an outbreak of FMD case for an eight-year period since 2011.In this time the EuFMD has established an internationally respected capacity for efficient delivery of training and in-country support to FMD Progressive Control Programmes, and most recently, in modelling of FMD control measures to guide emergency planning.

What is Foot and Mouth Disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. The disease is characterized by the formation of vesicles (fluid-filled blisters) and erosions in the mouth, nose, teats and feet.

Although not very lethal in adult animals, it causes serious production losses and is a major constraint in international trade. The FMD situation has improved markedly in recent years particularly in Europe and some countries in south east Asia and South America.

The disease remains endemic and at a high prevalence in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South America.