18. Calls on the Commission to take greater account of animal protection aspects in the fight against animal diseases; considers that regional vaccination in emergencies is essentially preferable to the killing of large numbers of healthy animals as a strategy for combating epizootics, albeit recognising the different attitudes to vaccination in each Member State and their potential effects on trade; considers moreover that, where technically possible, there ought to be greater scope for preventive vaccination; calls on the Commission to increase its efforts to adapt relevant treaties of the World organisation for animal health (OIE) ...[+++]accordingly, so that there are fewer restrictions on trade in products originating from vaccinated animals;

15. Points out that inspections, investigating the trekking routes of migratory birds, random screening of animals and vaccination against avian influenza can be effective tools to supplement disease control measures; welcomes, therefore, the recent proposal from the Commission for a new directive on Community measures for the control of avian influenza, in which vaccination has taken a more prominent role in combating this disease; urges Member States to make optimal use of this instrument so as to reduce as much as possible the ne ...[+++]cessity for mass slaughter of animals, and calls on all actors in the meat sector to fulfil their responsibility in this matter by guaranteeing the sale of products originating from vaccinated and unvaccinated animals alike;

As they only induce antibodies against one of the virus proteins, the vaccinated but CSF infected animals could then be detected by means of an appropriate blood "discriminatory" test.

Research into new vaccines which would effectively prevent vaccinated animals becoming carrier animals, which would be effective against all or at least several serotypes and induce a protective immunity within a shorter period after administration.

All experts underlined therefore that the use of vaccine in an animal park or zoo would affect the FMD status of an area/country and trade partners might not accept exports of live animals and non-treated products from that area or country where vaccination against FMD has taken place.

–took note of a memorandum of the Netherlands delegation requesting the Commission to encourage the speedy registration of marker vaccines against International Office of Epizootics (IOE) List A diseases, to start discussion in the IOE context on international market access for vaccinated animals and products derived from vaccinated animals and to report on its conclusions;