Brussels, 15/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Mediterranean Animal Health Network (REMESA) was set up in 2009. It consists of the heads of veterinary services in ten Mediterranean rim countries (both north and south banks), as well as representatives from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Animal Health Organisation (OIE). On 12-13 November in Montpellier, France, the network held a meeting of its leading organisational bodies. An agreement was signed at this event between member states belonging to the organisation on how this technical network, which is headed by a permanent joint committee, should operate.
REMESA is a framework for cooperation and aims to improve prevention and combat the main animal diseases and zoonoses in the Mediterranean basin. Stéphane Le Foll, the French minister for agriculture co-chaired this session with his Moroccan counterpart and pointed out that REMESA sought to achieve its aim by connecting up the different veterinary services in these ten countries.
This connectivity will facilitate regular transmission of observation reports from the different countries, as well as helping to implement warning measures whenever necessary. REMESA officials explained that enhancing cooperation between Mediterranean countries is a crucial component in improving the harmonisation and coordination of monitoring and inspection activities for sick animals, a phenomenon that does not recognise borders. In the current situation, emphasis is placed on enhancing monitoring and controlling Rift Valley fever (RVF), Ovine rinderpest, avian flu, rabies, bluetongue and the West Nile Virus (FB/transl.fl)