PARATUBERCULOSIS INGERMANY: A STEP FORWARD TOCONTROL IN CATTLE HERDS

摘要

Germany is a federal state and animal health as well as infectious disease control in animals is regulated by the individual federal states. In general, the federal state governments directs their veterinary authorities. Therefore, the possibilities for implementing paratuberculosis control programmes differ tremendously between regions. The role of the federal government is limited to legislation concerning regulations for infectious disease control at national level and implementation of EU legislation. Paratuberculosis is considered to be a disease of low priority and there are no federal regulations in force. Nonetheless, paratuberculosis is notifiable if the infectious agent is detected. Furthermore, a National Reference Laboratory for paratuberculosis has been established that is responsible for licensing tests, publishing an official manual of approved test methods and specialist counselling of veterinary authorities at federal and regional level.