Animal Production and Health Newsletter, No. 69, January 2019

Food security and livelihoods of livestock farmers in several Member States (MS) have been at risk due to the continuous threats posed by animal infectious diseases. In 2018, potentially devastating animal diseases such as African swine fever (ASF) and pest des petites ruminants (PPR) spread rapidly and emerged in countries and regions previously unaffected. This was the case of ASF in China, the world biggest producer of pigs, and for the first time ever in Europe, PPR in Bulgaria. The Animal Production and Health Subprogramme has maintained its commitment in strengthening capacity building of MS laboratories through research, training, and technology transfer for preparedness, early detection and control of zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases (ZTADs), especially through the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VETLAB) Network. In 2018, 55 laboratory personnel from African and Asian veterinary laboratories were trained at the Animal Production and Health Section's Laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria, on advanced nuclear and nuclear-derived techniques for the diagnosis of ZTADs and the detailed characterization of the causative agents. Through the VETLAB Network, our staff validated and transferred rapid diagnostic tests to costeffectively differentiate PPR and ASF from other diseases causing similar clinical signs in small ruminants and pigs, respectively. Immediately after the emergence of PPR in Bulgaria, the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture trained two Bulgarian scientists on the laboratory tests for PPR detection and transferred the protocols, the reference material and the necessary test reagents to the local laboratories to efficiently diagnose and confirm the disease. In parallel, a PPR interlaboratory test with the participation of 27 laboratories from 25 MS worldwide was organized to verify their competency in PPR diagnostic laboratory tests. Avian influenza epidemics continue to threaten public health and hamper poultry production in several countries. Countries like Myanmar and Ghana are implementing surveillance systems to reduce economic losses due to the emergent H9N2 avian influenza virus subtype. In collaboration with FAO, we supported their surveillance efforts by providing reference reagents to be used in the large scale national serological surveys. Eleven national and regional training courses and workshops were implemented throughout 2018 and nearly 300 laboratory personnel and animal health officers were trained at various locations on advanced laboratory techniques for detection and differentiation of multiple pathogens and for addressing disease outbreaks. MS continue to strive for increasing livestock-based food production to improve rural livelihoods and to ensure food security. Technical support was provided to 28 MS to identify locally available animal resources and develop baseline information for genetic improvement and increased productivity. To assist MS in the process, a computer database application called Genetics Laboratory Information and Data Management System (GLIDMaS) was developed and transferred to enable better and efficient management of local livestock breeds. Modern animal breeding technologies related to improvement of sheep productivity through enhanced resistance to parasitic diseases were transferred to 13 countries. Further, to address the challenges in camel rearing, particularly those maintained by resource poor pastoralists in Africa and Asia, a nuclear technology called radiation hybrid mapping was utilized to establish much required genomic resources for camel production improvement. These resources were transferred to the International Camel Genome Consortium to stimulate development of DNA based tools for genetic evaluation and breeding of this important species. MS's efforts on sustainable improvement of livestock production was supported through five fellowships and national/regional trainings of 64 professionals from 15 countries. Reproduction activities from our group continued to enhance the expertise and performance of livestock semen laboratories, artificial insemination (AI) field services and hormonal analysis by radioimmunoassay in 33 MS. Training on-site, or through national and regional training courses, was provided to 61 livestock professionals and technicians from 16 MS. Tanzania successfully extended their AI programme from Arusha to Tanga widening the rural area benefitting from AI. Benin has developed a central semen laboratory in Parakou and another laboratory at the University of Abomey Calavi. Furthermore, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Paraguay and Uruguay have introduced sheep and goat breeding programmes with special focus on genetic resistance against gastrointestinal parasites. Argentina is already monitoring the performance of the offspring of 'resistant' rams. Indonesia introduced a community-based programme called 'Farmer School' for the applications of improved farming management based on results obtained through the application of nuclear and nuclear-derived technologies. The 'Farmer School' system currently has more than 1000 members. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was introduced in Benin, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Togo and on-station training was provided to 40 professionals. This technique facilitates the determination of the chemical composition of forages, grains, and other agricultural products. It is highly accurate, reliable, rapid, and can replace the tedious and time-consuming wet chemistry procedures in animal nutrition laboratories. Gas chromatography for analysis and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions was introduced in Myanmar. Protocols for analysing plant markers (n-alcane) and their compound specific carbon-13 isotope for the estimation of intake, digestibility and diet selection were introduced in 8 MS. This technology will facilitate management decisions on the selection of compatible animals for pasture, on the selection of plant species for reseeding degraded pastures and on the design of appropriate supplementation strategies.