The 2021-2023 workplan of the EuFMD for Pillar I countries aims to improve Member Nations’ and neighbors’ preparedness for the management of Foot-and-Mouth and similar transboundary animal diseases (‘FAST’). 

Specifically, the work plan for component 1.1 of Pillar I aims to improve European expertise in FAST disease emergency management through delivery of training and assistance to Member Nations to cascade training at national level.

With this background, the EuFMD will run the Depopulation, Disposal, Cleaning and Disinfection – From Theory to Practice workshop (remote multicountry activity) during the current biennium.

This course will be delivered over four weeks on the EuFMD vLearning platform, during which participants must complete approximately 25 hours of self-directed study. 

The learning objectives are to:

• describe animal welfare and biosecurity aspects that the humane killing operations of domestic species susceptible to FAST diseases should comprise; 
• list the different methods and equipment allowed by European Union legislation, to cull cattle, small ruminants and pigs;
• estimate the resources, including human resources, needed for depopulation operations; 
• recall the legal framework and its main requirements for disposal of carcasses and contaminated waste;
• explain the implications of ineffective carcass disposal;
• list the different legal methods available for disposal of carcasses;
• describe the different considerations to be taken when deciding upon methods for the disposal of carcasses;
• estimate the resources, including human resources, needed for disposal of carcasses; 
• describe the principles to be considered for cleaning and disinfection of an infected farm;
• recall the legal and practical considerations and challenges faced to implement cleaning and disinfection.

The topics covered include:

• depopulation methods; 
• carcass disposal; 
• cleaning and disinfection.

Thirty-two trainees from twenty-two EuFMD Member Nations (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland) are expected to take part in this activity. The target audience are veterinarians or other relevant staff at veterinary services involved in depopulation, carcass disposal and cleaning and disinfection operations in case of a FAST disease incursion.  

EuFMD technical coordinator: Rodrigo Nova 

EuFMD trainers: Tsviatko Alexandrov

If you have any queries, please contact us at [email protected].