10th Anniversary of Rinderpest Eradication

10th Anniversary of Rinderpest Eradication 

Video Message by

Dr. QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General

28 June 2021

 

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

1.         Ten years ago, FAO and the OIE declared rinderpest officially eradicated from the world.

2.         Our collective efforts were an investment in the future to safeguard animal health and improve human lives.

3.         For centuries efforts were made to control this disease.

4.         In 1994, FAO’s Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme, in coordination with the OIE, the International Atomic Energy Agency and other partners, went a step further.

5.         We engaged livestock owners, pastoralists, Member countries, regional and international organizations and development partners. 

6.         We relied on strong sanitary regulations and related legislation.

7.         International funding supported national veterinary services.

8.         Vaccination was recognized as the most effective tool to protect cattle from rinderpest.

9.         This led to successful control and eradication of the disease.

10.     FAO and OIE then developed the Global Rinderpest Action Plan to maintain the world free from the disease.

11.     FAO has coordinated the establishment of rinderpest vaccine reserves,

12.     diagnostic tools for emergency response, and

13.     awareness-raising to ensure rinderpest is not forgotten.

14.     Today, I congratulate all those who contributed to this long journey of this historic eradication

15.     We will continue working together to protect animal and public health for present and future generations,

16.     to keep the world free from rinderpest.

17.     Thank you.