What is a FMD free country?

The OIE (The WHO for animals) allows FMD free status both with and without vaccination. In addition they will allow the establishment of FMD free zones within countries both with and without vaccination.

Below is an extract from the International Animal Health Code.

The full code can be read here.

Article 2.1.1.2.

FMD free country where vaccination is not practised
 
To be listed in FMD free countries where vaccination is not practised, a country should:
 
1)    have a record of regular and prompt animal disease reporting;
 
2)    send a declaration to the OIE that there has been no outbreak of FMD and no vaccination has been carried out for at least 12 months, with documented evidence that an effective system of surveillance is in operation and that all regulatory measures for the prevention and control of FMD have been implemented;
 
3)    not have imported animals vaccinated against FMD since the cessation of vaccination.
 
The name of the country will be included in the list only after acceptance of submitted evidence by the OIE.
 

Article 2.1.1.3.

FMD free country where vaccination is practised
 
To be listed in FMD free countries where vaccination is practised, a country should:
 
1)    have a record of regular and prompt animal disease reporting;
 
2)    send a declaration to the OIE that there has been no outbreak of FMD for the past 2 years, with documented evidence that:
 
      a)    an effective system of disease surveillance is in operation and that all regulatory measures for the prevention and control of FMD have been implemented, and
 
      b)    routine vaccination is carried out for the purpose of the prevention of FMD and that the vaccine used complies with the standards described in the Manual, and
 
3)    have a system of intensive and frequent surveillance for detection of any viral activity.
 
The name of the country will be included in the list only after acceptance of submitted evidence by the OIE.
 
If an FMD free country where vaccination is practised wishes to change its status to FMD free country where vaccination is not practised, a waiting period of 12 months after vaccination has ceased is required.