MEDIA STATEMENT
03 JUNE 2014
DAFF REPRESENTED AT THE OIE 82NDGENERAL SESSION
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is proud to announce that Dr Botlhe Michael Modisane, who was elected a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Council two years ago, was nominated and elected to Vice- President of the World Assembly at the 82nd general session.Dr Modisane is responsible for Animal Production and Health at the department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The OIE 82nd general session which took place from May 25 to May 30was attended byover 850 participants, representing Member Countries of the OIE as well as numerous international, intergovernmental, regional and national organisations. The session was also a culmination of the 90thAnniversary of the Organisation.
The World Assembly had the honour of welcoming both the Directors General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The World Assembly of Delegates approved the application of two new countries: Liberia and South Sudan, raising to 180 the number of OIE Member Countries.
OIE Delegates proceeded to the election of the new Vice-President of the Council, Dr Botlhe Michael Modisane, Delegate of South Africa.
Official recognition of disease status: for the first time, OIE Members could apply for 'PPR free' status recognition
The status of Member Countries with regard to priority diseases were considered for official recognition. OIE Members can request to be included in the list of countries with a recognised disease status for the following: bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), foot and mouth disease (FMD), contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), African horse sickness (AHS), peste des petits ruminants (PPR). In total, 88 national applications were presented to the World Assembly for adoption.
South Africa Status for zone Freedom for Foot and Mouth Disease(FMD) was confirmed. For the first time, this year, 48 countries were recognised as ‘(PPR) free’and South Africa was amongst the 48 countries and the first and only country in Africa.
The distribution of PPR has expanded throughout the past ten years and it is now present over a large part of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Since PPR is a major devastating disease of small ruminants it has been selected as one of the top priority diseases to be addressed by the OIE.South Africa is aware of the significant risk this disease poses to the small stock like sheep and goats industry.
For media enquiries and further information please contact:
Ms Makenosi Maroo
Chief Director: Stakeholder Relations and Communications
Tel.: 012 319 6787
Cell: 072 475 2956
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