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EUROPEAN UNION
European Neighbourhood Policy
and Partnership Instrument ENPI
EU Twinning Project IL / 10 CRIS/2015/356-293
Programme financed by the European Union
Strengthening of Israeli veterinary
diagnostic capacities
AGRICULTURE
EUROPEAN UNION
EUROPEAN UNION
GERMANY
WINNING HOLLAND
TWINNING
EUROPEAN UNION
ISRAEL
DISEASE CONTROL
EUROPEAN UNION
ISRAEL
TWINNING
ERMANY
KIMRON
VETRINARY
THIS PROJECT IS
FUNDED BY THE
EUROPEAN UNION
EUROPEAN
ISRAEL
KIMRON
HOLLAND ISRAEL
VETRINARY
DIAGNOSTIC
HOLLAND
GERMANY
GERMANY
TWINNING
ISRAELISRAEL
TWINNING
EU and Israel Partnership
European Neighbourhood Policy
EU and Israeli Cooperation in
Veterinary Administration and Livestock
Development
Background to the Twinning Project
Animal Disease Status and Animal Health
Programmes
German-Netherlands Institutions Involved
Main Project´s Components and Results
The Member States Staff and Key Roles
The Beneficiary Country Staff and Key
Roles
Key Information and Figures Related to
the Project
Strengthening of Israeli veterinary
diagnostic capacities
EU and Israel Partnership
The EU-Israel Association Agreement (AA) forms the legal basis governing relations
between the two parties. It was elaborated within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership (Barcelona Process), and came into force in June 2000.
The AA features free trade arrangements for industrial goods and concessions for trade
in agricultural products – on which a new agreement has been established in 2004.
Considering the strategic objectives for EU-Israel cooperation, set out in the European
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan from 11 April 2005, both sides want to encourage
and support further integration of Israel into European economic and social structures.
The ENP Action Plan defines a considerable number of priority areas, including trade and
market related regulatory reforms, including sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) issues, with
the aim of progressively harmonising regulatory, legislative and administrative frameworks.
The implementation of these priorities is supported by the National Indicative Programmes
(NIPs). The National Indicative Programme 2011-2013 provides for support to EU acquisrelated activities in key Israeli ministries, including through Twinnings, based on mutually
agreed priorities, in any areas covered by the ENP Action Plan, including veterinary matters.
The ENP Action Plan includes the will to improve cooperation on sanitary and phyto-sanitary
matters as well as on food safety, including activities to strengthen exchange of information
with regard to legislation and implementation practices and possibilities to increase
convergence of Israeli legislation with EU legislation on sanitary requirements (live animals
and animal products). Under the ENP Action Plan “improved cooperation on sanitary and
phyto-sanitary matters as well as on food safety” is stipulated, which should be achieved
by exploring possible areas of cooperation between Israel and the EU in this field (e.g.
legislation, implementing practices), while taking into account different conditions prevailing
on both sides and exchanging appropriate information on matters such convergence of
Israeli legislation with EU legislation on sanitary requirements (live animals and animal
products).
This Twinning project aims to strengthen the capacities of the Kimron
Veterinary Institute (KVI) in terms of legislation, enforcement and
institutional building, to achieve rapid, effective surveillance and
control of prevailing animal diseases as well as provision of reliable
evidence to certify animals and products of animal origin as safe for
human consumption, in compliance with EU and OIE standards. This
Twinning project forms a significant contribution to the objectives:
trade and internal market issues and improvement of cooperation on
sanitary issues, with particular focus on veterinary matters of the EUIsrael ENP Action Plan. Israel will increase compliance with international
requirements regarding the monitoring and control of animal diseases
and food safety of animal origin products for consumers and will thus
contribute to eliminating technical barriers to trade (TBT).
European Neighbourhood Policy
The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) aims at a closer relationship
between the enlarged EU and its neighbours for the strengthening of
prosperity, stability and security for all. The ENP is extended to the 16
closest neighbours of the EU, Israel being one of them. The policy was
set up in a Strategy Paper in May 2004, where concrete terms have
been set how the EU proposes to work in close relation with these
16 neighbouring countries. Later the Commission developed further
proposals to strengthen the policy in various initiatives and processes.
Under the ENP the EU offers its neighbours a privileged relationship
which builds on mutual commitment to common values (e.g. democracy
and human rights, rule of law, good governance, economic market
principles and sustainable development). The ENP offers not only
political association but also economic integration, increased mobility
and people-to-people contacts, depending on the extent to which these
values are shared between the partners.
EU and Israeli Cooperation in
Veterinary Administration and
Livestock Development
Concerning agriculture and livestock development, both the Association
Agreement and the ENP Action Plan call for collaboration between EU
and Israel, among others there is technical assistance and training as
one of the main offers established.
In recent years, a number of projects financed by different donors have
been contributing to the development and strengthening of animal-origin
food and feed safety control in Israel. There has been also a Twinning
project “Strengthening of the Israeli Veterinary Inspection Authorities
for the Animal Health and Livestock Production System”, conducted
between November 2011 and July 2013 aiming for an approximation of
Israeli legislation on animal feed, animal health and animal welfare to EU
legislation and practices.
The overall objective of the project was to strengthen the Israeli Veterinary
Administration in order to enhance the implementation of animal health
and the “farm to fork” food safety policy in a new legislative framework
compliant in quality with EU provisions and international standards
allowing for the enhancement of food and feed safety and quality. The
project aimed finally at multiplying the chances for Israeli products to
land on the EU and international markets.
The 20-month project focused its activity on capacity building, on re-
organization of the Israeli Veterinary Services and Animal Health (IVSAH)
of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and on
revision of national legislation to be in line or in close approximation with
the EU Acquis Communitaire, and was guided, as above mentioned, by
the EU’s integrated “from farm to fork” approach.
The project promoted and assisted the IVSAH in the starting of a deep
reform process oriented to strengthen the control/inspection of food
of animal origin for the protection of human health. Reforms in animal
feeding production, with the implementation of new inspection and
auditing system, were implemented.
Main issues that will be addressed in a follow-up project are the following:
The current Twinning project has to improve and strengthen the
diagnostic and research capabilities of the KVI in the field of infectious
diseases and food and feed safety.
To create a legal basis for the official role and competency of IVSAH
supervising food safety and clinical laboratories, to have effective and
documented coordination between IVSAH and Ministry of Health and
private laboratories as well as direct flow of information to create a
national food safety network.
To organize trainings on regular basis in order to guarantee an adequate
level of knowledge including adequate sampling and preservation
of samples. In this respect a training policy and strategy should be
prepared.
To strengthen the professional capacities of the Israeli Veterinary
Laboratories in epidemiological surveys and risk analysis.
Furthermore, a review of the legislation should be in place to clear
define the IVSAH as competent authority for products of animal origin
and responsible for implementation of veterinary inspection covering all
public health issues.
Therefore based on the recommendations stated, the objective of
the current project is strengthening of the legislative and professional
capacities of the Israeli Veterinary Laboratories involved in diagnostic
of animal diseases, food and feed analyses and epidemiologic surveys.
Background to the Twinning
Project
Livestock and animal products are of significant economic importance to
Israel. Despite the decrease in the number of farmers, agriculture plays
a significant role as a major food supplier to the local market and is
an important factor in Israeli exports. The majority of Israeli agriculture
is mainly based on cooperative settlements: The Kibbutz is a large
collective production unit and the Moshav which is based on individual
farms yet organized as a cooperative society. The Kibbutzim and the
Moshavim currently account for 83% of total agricultural production.
The dairy industry is of high quality, is one of the leading sectors in Israeli
agriculture and supplies most of the domestic demand for milk and dairy
products. The dairy industry is well organized and a manual on Good
Farming Practices and Official Controls for Animal (Dairy) Production
in Israel is currently being introduced for use following the previous
twinning project. Also very well organized is the poultry industry which
supports the poultry health system with four laboratories for diagnosis
of diseases, supervision and provision of clinical services – including
actions for the prevention of diseases - located throughout the country.
The Poultry and Dairy Boards have strong positions in the Israeli animal
industry and have partially established their own traceability systems for
animals and animal products. At least one major cattle slaughterhouse
and cutting plant has established its own traceability system for
commercial purposes. Pig production is small and only takes place in
restricted areas in the Acco and Beer Sheva regions (20 farms in total).
Israel is a net importer of live animals and animal products, but the
country is at the same time a considerable exporter. The most frequently
exported animals and animal products are: one-day chicks, ornamental
fish, bumblebees, bull semen milk products, poultry meat and ready-toeat products, fish and honey. Export of agricultural products is mainly to
the European Union and the US and the requested laboratory testing are
performed at the KVI.
Animal disease status and
animal health programmes
Israel experienced outbreaks of several endemic and epidemic animal
diseases in recent years, including among others highly pathogenic
avian influenza (HPAI); H5N1; with the most recent recorded outbreaks
in 2014 and 2015, Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD); in cattle, sheep and
wild animals such as wild boars and gazelles, the last outbreak occurred
in 2013, Lumpy skin disease (LSD); the last case being recorded in
August 2013, Brucellosis; being endemic, Sheep pox; 2 outbreaks
in 2011, last outbreak in late 2014, Peste des petits ruminants (PPR);
1 outbreak in 2012, bluetongue (BTV); is endemic with outbreaks of
different serotypes, Newcastle disease virus (NDV); last case in late 2014
and rabies;13 recorded cases in 2014.
Some of these diseases have tremendous negative impacts on the
total output and price of live animals as well as all related industries,
ultimately having a negative influence on domestic consumption and
export opportunities. Recently a new programme was implemented in
order to reduce brucellosis in small ruminant herds in the Negev by the
end of 2016, by vaccinating 80% of herds and conducting inspections
for infection in 500 herds.
The Israeli Veterinary Services and Animal Health (IVSAH) undertake
the identification of ruminants and a variety of compulsory vaccination
programmes for FMD, LSD, Brucella abortus (ceased on 01/01/2014),
Brucella melitensis, rabies, PPR and sheep and goat pox. All sheep and
goats are vaccinated at least annually for FMD, PPR and sheep and goat
pox. Female sheep and goats are vaccinated for Brucella melitensis
between 2 and 6 months of age, whereby the vaccine is provided for
free. Brucella melitensis being a significant zoonotic disease in Israel
that infects at least 100 people annually, primarily in the less intensive
sectors. All other vaccination of ruminants is done as needed or by
request of the farmer. Some vaccinations formerly performed by Field
Veterinary Services have been handed over to private veterinarians
(such as enterotoxaemia and rabies in ruminants). Anthrax vaccination is
mandatory in a herd where an outbreak has been confirmed and 10 years
forward. Newcastle disease vaccination in poultry is officially mandated
with an extensive and well defined vaccination schedule. Newcastle
disease vaccination is performed by accredited private vaccination
teams contracted by farmers, or by the farmers themselves. Vaccinations
in Israel are done on a fee for service basis.
According to a 2011 OIE PVS evaluation report, “despite all vaccination
activities and campaigns, there is no systematic analysis of efficacy,
efficiency and benefits of programmes, resulting in frustration of some
staff and farmers. Most of these programmes reach only a small fraction
of the less intensive farmers which contributes to the failure of eradication
efforts”. This statement was supported by the recommendations of the
OIE’s PVS gap analysis, which was carried out during 2013.
KVI divisions have ISO17025 accreditation from the Israeli Laboratory
Accreditation Authority (ISRAC) for a limited number of test methods.
However, not all test methods on notifiable diseases are ISO 17025
accredited.
Human resources in the Israeli Veterinary Services are limited while Israel
is increasing the number of live animals. It imports calves and products
of animal origin. To cope with this changing situation, the Veterinary
Services have to implement risk-based surveillance that will help to
decrease the number of samples and introduce testing methods that
save on human resources.
The Israeli Veterinary Services including the KVI, backed by a
governmental decision, are in the process of reforming the existing
mechanisms for animal health protection, disease monitoring and control
and outbreak management. Special attention is therefore being paid to
the following priority areas:
•Formulation of a national contingency plan for epidemic and endemic
diseases. The plan should include the development of effective
mechanisms for early diagnosis, early warning, monitoring and control
that are in compliance with the guidelines set by the OIE.
•Enhancing the institutional context with a view to fostering publicprivate partnerships in the field of animal diseases, rapid and accurate
diagnosis, vaccine development and production, eradication,
monitoring and control;
•Upgrading human capacities of the diagnostic institute to efficiently
plan and carry out reform measures and laboratory techniques and
methods;
•Improvement of the Veterinary Diagnostic Service delivery through
addressing such aspects as technical capability, human and financial
capital;
•Moving toward scientific capacity building with the eventual aim of
establishing focal points of expertise and excellence; and
•Development of full compliance of laboratories with OIE and EU
guidelines and standards for both terrestrial and aquatic animals.
Upgrading the quality control of the diagnostic capabilities of the Israeli
Veterinary Services requires both the strengthening and the reorganization
of the KVI laboratories to become centres of reference and excellence
for food safety, feed safety and the diagnosis of infectious diseases to
EU and OIE standards and accreditation by ISO 17025. Also necessary
will be the establishment of a network of approved, competent private
laboratories to support both farmers and the food and feed industry by
developing an appropriate framework of legislation and regulations in
compliance with EU requirements/regulations. This network should meet
the growing demand to protect animals from existing and emerging
diseases, to improve public health in Israel and to enhance export
through compliance with export requirements.
Other problems involve software and databases, as different databases
are not currently integrated or compatible. Some functions that would be
beneficial to stakeholders are not accessible
The main beneficiary institution of the project is the Kimron
Veterinary Institute (KVI). But there will be also cooperation with
other institutions involved on veterinary diagnostic.
German-Netherlands
Institutions Involved
The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) will
assure the supervision of the implementation of the project, through its
specialised Unit 624 – “International Projects, Twinning”. With around
150 successful Twinning projects, the Ministry has a rich experience
in the effective and successful implementation of such institutional
partnerships. With the implementation of more than 20 Twinning projects
in the area of animal health and food safety, the Ministry has extensive
experience in exchanging good practices in this field.
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut FLI – Federal Research Institute for Animal
Health
The work of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) focuses on farm animal
health and welfare and on the protection of humans from zoonoses.
These tasks are defined in the Animal Health Act. It does basic and
applied research in different scientific fields. As a federal research
institute and independent higher federal authority under the Federal
Ministry of Food and Agriculture, it has a consultative function which
helps provide the scientific basis for political decision-making. The
Institute performs epidemiological investigations during outbreaks of
animal diseases. It also prepares risk assessments on various infectious
diseases of farm animals. Furthermore, it works as national Licensing
Authority for products that are not destined for the application in animals
(in vitro diagnostics).
As the responsible federal institution, it houses more than 75 national
reference laboratories for notifiable animal diseases. The reference
laboratories clarify suspect cases, provide advice to veterinary
authorities and perform ring trials or similar quality assurance measures
in the field of animal disease diagnostics in Germany. In addition,
it houses international reference laboratories of the OIE for avian
influenza, Newcastle disease, bovine herpesvirus infection, brucellosis,
chlamydiosis, glanders and rabies. It is also nominated by the FAO
to form two FAO Reference Centres, one for influenza in animals and
Newcastle disease and one for Classical Swine Fever (CSF). It is also
„Collaborating Centre for Zoonoses in Europe“ of the OIE and runs a
„Collaborating Centre“ of the WHO for rabies.
Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen UR (CVI)
The Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen UR is one of the
institutes that belong to the “DLO Foundation” or “Agricultural
Research Service”. DLO consists of a number of specialized institutes
for applied research in the domain of healthy food and living environment.
DLO collaborates with Wageningen University - under the external brand
name “Wageningen University & Research Centre”.
CVI, part of Wageningen UR, collaborates with public and private
partners to safeguard animal and public health. It contributes to the
prevention, eradication and control of animal infectious diseases
through research, diagnostics and consultancy. By doing so, it helps
to guarantee international trade and to preserve the international top
position of the Dutch livestock industry. It works with validated and ISO
17025 accredited laboratory tests to confirm or exclude infection with
pathogens. Not only is this important in case of a possible outbreak of a
notifiable animal disease, but also to maintain the disease-free status of
the Netherlands, and for the issue of export certificates.
For the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) it is an international
reference laboratory for Aujeszky’s disease, CEM (Contagious Equine
Metritis) and (together with Utrecht University) Campylobacter.
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a German
state-owned scientific institution, which was established as an agency
under public law during a reform in 2002 in order to strengthen
consumer health protection and clearly separate risk assessment and
risk communication from risk management. It is a scientifically oriented
and independent superior federal authority responsible to the German
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. It is independent in its scientific
assessments and research. Its main focus is on the assessment of risks
in the field of consumer health protection and food and feed safety for
man. On the basis of internationally recognised, scientific assessment
criteria it prepares expert reports and opinions on the safety of foods,
substances and products. Its work is characterised by its scientific,
research-based approach. It has substantial laboratory capacities, 17
reference laboratories in the field of food safety and food hygiene are
attached, divided into two groups: National Reference Laboratories
pursuant to Regulation (EC) 882/2004 and other laboratories with a
reference function. All laboratories are accredited in accordance with
DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.
The Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food
Safety (LAVES)
LAVES is the central institution for a complete surveillance of food
and feed safety, animal health and welfare, and plant protection in the
Federal Land of Lower Saxony gathering surveillance and analysis under
one roof.
It ensures effectiveness and appropriateness of controls and provides
laboratory capacities for state-of-the-art analysis. It has a broad
practical experience in sample management and risk oriented control
planning and it is in charge of examining all official samples. It offers
advice and support to the local authorities within the Federal Land of
Lower Saxony. It implements analytical tasks in the field of food and
feed, investigations of consumer products, official sections of animals,
investigation of hygiene samples, cosmetics and drinking water. It carries
out feed surveillance and certifies feed and food companies. Further
responsibilities are the surveillance of veterinary drugs, the approval
of animal experiments and the surveillance of ecological agriculture.
It provides advice for animal trade, animal health issues and technical
experts, e.g. for development of killing facilities for animals in case of
epizootic diseases. Its tasks cover the animal welfare service and the
Veterinary Task Force, e.g. for development of concepts and measures
for control and combat of animal epidemics. It combines 6 institutes and
laboratories in Lower Saxony, performing analyses like food composition,
food residues and contaminants (e.g. drugs, heavy metals), GM food
and feed, marine biotoxines etc. The six specialised and accredited
laboratories provide state-of-the-art analytical equipment and experts
of high class qualifications. All laboratories are accredited in accordance
with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.
Thuringian State Authority for Consumer Protection (TVL)
TVL was founded in 1992 and now consists of 7 departments covering
health protection, hygiene, epidemiology, environment, food safety, animal
health and employment protection.
The institute has strong activities in microbiology, in food safety and in
animal health facilitating a good collaboration in those fields. So far there is
less experience in epidemiology. The laboratory capacities of TVL support
the consumer health protection authorities of the Federal States in their
surveillance and control activities in the areas of food and feed safety by
analyzing all official samples. All laboratories of TVL are accredited.
KVI and relevant officials from the Israeli Veterinary Services and the
MARD. He will be based at the KVI for the duration of his stay.
Main Project´s Components and
Results
Component Leaders / Mid-Term-Experts
Germany and the Netherlands have assembled a group of highly
qualified experts versed in establishing and operating similar institutions
at national as well as regional (Land) level. They will be available for the
implementation of this Twinning project with their expertise and will
guarantee the fulfilment of the expected results.
The projects organisation and inputs will be made on the basis of three
main components and split in several activities according to the goals
and results to be achieved by the end of the project. The following
components are foreseen:
Component 1. “Preparation of selected procedures for the improvement
of veterinary diagnostic capacities in compliance with EU and OIE
standards”
Component 2. “Improvement of the Quality Assurance System at the KVI
and in approved private laboratories and drafting of proposals on legal
acts on notifiable diseases, monitoring and surveillance programmes,
zoonotic diseases (public health) and food safety in accordance with the
EU legislation and principles with regard to laboratory activities in the
veterinary field”
Component 3. “Development of epidemiological capacities enabling
science-based risk assessment and risk management of existing and
future challenges”
Under each of the components study visits for staff of the KVI and
attachments to the relevant MS partner institutions are foreseen.
The Member States Staff and
Key Roles
The German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) will
guarantee full support for a successful outcome of the project. The
responsible person within the competent “Unit 624 - International
Projects, Twinning” is Mrs. Doreen Frank. The BMEL will assure the
overall coordination and assist in the identification of the necessary short
term experts.
The MS Project Leader (PL) is Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas C. Mettenleiter,
President of the Federal Research Institute for Animal Health FriedrichLoeffler-Institut, (FLI).
The MS Junior Project leader from the Netherlands is Dr. Willie Loeffen.
a veterinary virologist of the Central Veterinary Institute, Wageningen
(CVI), responsible for diagnosis and research on classical and African
swine fever, Aujeszky’s disease and swine influenza.
The Resident Twinning Adviser (RTA) is Dr. Detlef Höreth-Böntgen,
an epidemiologist and veterinarian at the FLI. He will be resident in
Israel during the 18 months of the project and will provide day by day
coordination of the project. He will call upon experts from the MS partner
institutions and will work in close coordination with the scientists at the
MS component leaders:
Dr. Willie Loeffen (CVI), besides being MS JPL, will also be the MTE for
Component 1
Prof. Dr. Roland Körber (Univ. Halle-Wittenberg), will be the MTE for
Component 2
Prof. Dr. Franz J. Conraths (FLI), head of the Institute of Epidemiology
at FLI will be the MTE for Component 3
Ms Elke Reinking, press liaison officer of FLI, will be the MTE for
Visibility Activities
The Beneficiary Country Staff
and Key Roles
The success of Twinning projects requires significant input of BC
resources coupled with a solid commitment to achieve results. The
Twinning project will be headed by the BC Project Leader Dr. Boris
Yakobson who has sufficient authority to administer and properly
implement the project in practice. Dr. Yakobson will be together with
MS Project Leader Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas C. Mettenleiter the key figure
ultimately responsible for its implementation.
In order to ensure a smooth implementation of the project activities, the
RTA Dr. Detlef Höreth-Böntgen, will be supported on the day-to-day
basis by the RTA counterpart in the BC, namely Dr. Monica Leszkowicz
Mazuz.
At project level, BC staff will actively participate (i.e. working with the RTA
and short term experts, participating in training activities) to implement
a particular project component. For a transparent coordination of the
three components three BC Component Leaders have been nominated
who will work hand in hand with the MS Component Leaders and the
RTA team.
Component leaders
Component 1: Dr. Michel Bellaiche, Director, KVI
Component 2: Mrs. Dikla Aviv, Quality Manager, KVI
Component 3: Dr. Aniella Gilboa, CVO assistant
Mrs Dafna Yurista, Press officer, MOAG responsible for Visibility
Activities on BC part
Key Information And Figures Related To The Project
Total EU budget: € 1,030,000
Beneficiary institutions
Kimron Veterinary Institute (KVI), Ministry of Agriculture & Rural
Development (MARD), Israel
Responsible Institutions
The German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL)
The Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen UR (CVI)
Supporting Institutions
Friedrich-Loeffler- Institut (FLI), Federal Research Institut for Animal Health
Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung (BfR), German Federal Institute for Risk
Assessment
The Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES)
Thuringian State Authority for Consumer Protection (TVL)
Mandated Body
B.&S.U. Beratungs- und Service-Gesellschaft Umwelt mbH, Germany
Duration: 18 months (05. March 2015 – 04. September 20164)
Kick-off Meeting: March 26th, 2015
Foreign experts involved: 1 Resident Twinning Advisor, 4 Mid Term
Experts, 51 Short Term Experts
Missions to be carried out: 99
Study visits to be carried out in a Member State: 6
Number of training sessions: 7
The content of this material does not necessarily represent
the official position of the EUROPEAN UNION
Edited by Project’s RTA