Brunei Endorses Asean Action On Avian Flu
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources expressed the Sultanate's support for the second phase of the Regional Framework for the control and eradication of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Asean with the endorsement of the Asean Regional Strategy for the Progressive Control and Eradication of HPAI for 2008-2010.

Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat said the Regional Framework provided strategic directions and cooperation to improve the implementation of HPAI prevention and control measures with reference to the eight strategic areas.

He highlighted this at the 29th Meeting of the Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 1, 2007.

For Brunei Darussalam, the areas being emphasised and focused on are Disease Surveillance, Diagnostic Capabilities, Information Sharing, Emergency Preparedness Plan and Public Awareness and Communication.

The Asean ministers also reiterated the need for a well-coordinated multi-agency and multi-sectoral approach to prevent, control and eradicate HPAI in the Asean region.

On this HPAI, the ministers were pleased with the progress made in the implementation of the Regional Framework for Control and Eradication of HPAI in Asean and adopted the Final Report of the Asean HPAI Taskforce.

They also acknowledged the importance of the support provided by various international organisations and donor agencies (eg FAO, OIE, ADB, WHO, AusAID, JICA, USAID), in capacity building and technical assistance.

The Asean ministers also reaffirmed that cooperation in the food, agriculture, and forestry sectors plays a vital role in food security, strengthening joint positions at international fora, as well as expediting the establishment of the Asean Economic Community and enhancing the long term competitiveness of Asean's food, agriculture and forestry products.

To realise these objectives, the ministers continued to push towards further capacity building, use of modern technology, and adoption of international standards and practices.

At this meeting, the ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress made in the Asean projects on food, agriculture and forestry. The ministers emphasised that Asean should continue to undertake concerted efforts in the harmonisation of quality and standards, assurance of food safety and standardisation of trade certification. Towards this end, the ministers adopted the following Asean standards and guidelines.

They are Asean harmonised Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for 16 pesticides; Asean Harmonised Standards for Papaya, Pummelo and Rambutan; Asean Standards for Live and Inactivated Infectious Bronchitis Vaccine; A Guide to the Identification and Control of Food Safety Hazards in the Production of Fish and Fisheries Products in the Asean Region; Guidelines on Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) for Health Certification and Quarantine Measures for the Responsible Movement of Live Food Finfish; and Re-accreditation of the Veterinary Drug Assay Laboratory in Gunung Sindur, Bogor, Indonesia as an Asean Animal Vaccine Testing Laboratory for nine specific animal vaccines for a perici, of three years.

In the area of fisheries cooperation, the ministers endorsed the establishment of the Asean Shrimp Alliance (ASA), which will pave the way in enhancing Asean's capability to respond to challenges of international trade in shrimp and shrimp products.

The ministers also agreed to establish the Asean Network on Aquatic Animal Health Centres (ANAAHC) among national aquatic animal health agencies and laboratories to facilitate the building up of diagnostic and certification capabilities in Asean member countries for the export of live aquatic animals.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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