By European CommissionMinistry of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentIsraeli Veterinary Services and Animal Health

Preparation of a Twinning Project Fiche for the Strengthening of the Israeli Veterinary Inspection Authorities for the Animal Health and Livestock

Production System

January 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 31. BASIC INFORMATION 42. OBJECTIVES 43. DESCRIPTION 5

3.1 Background and justification 53.1.1 Israeli livestock sector 53.1.2 Israeli Veterinary Services 63.1.3 Israeli legislation 83.1.4 The public-private partnership in Israel 83.1.5 The international environment and the control of trans-boundary diseases 93.1.6 The animal disease status of Israel 113.1.7 Expected reform of the structure of the VSAH 113.2 Linked activities 113.3 Results 123.4 Activities 153.4.1 Activities common to all of the project results 153.4.2 Activities related with each of the project components 153.5 Inputs from MS Partner Administration 223.5.1 Profile and tasks of the Project Leader 223.5.2 Profile and tasks of the RTA 223.5.3 Profile and tasks of the short-term experts (STEs) 23

4. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 265. BUDGET 266. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS 26

6.1 Implementing Agency responsible for tendering 266.2 Main counterpart in the BC 266.3 Contracts 27

7. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE (INDICATIVE) 277.1 Launching of the call for proposals 277.2 Start of project activities 277.3 Implementation period duration 27

8. SUSTAINABILITY 279. CROSSCUTTING ISSUES (Equal opportunity, environment) 28

9.1 Equal opportunities 289.2 Environment 28

10. CONDITIONALITY AND SEQUENCING 28ANNEXES TO THE PROJECT FICHE 29Annex 1. Logical framework matrix 30Annex 2. Indicative implementation chart 38Annex 3. List of relevant EU Laws and Regulations 40Annex 4. List of relevant Israeli Laws and Regulations 45Annex 5. Veterinary Services and Animal Health – Organisation chart 47Annex 6. Animal Diseases in Israel and in the Region 48

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AA Association AgreementAP Action Plan (EU ENP)BC Beneficiary CountryBIPs Border Inspection PostsCJD Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseEC European CommissionECDC European Centre for Disease Prevention and ControlEFSA European Food Safety AuthorityENP European Neighbourhood Policy (EU)EU European UnionFAO Food and Agriculture Organization (of the United Nations)FMD foot and mouth diseaseGDP Gross Domestic ProductGIS Geographic Information SystemHPAI highly pathogenic avian influenzaIBR infectious bovine rhino-tracheitisICT Information Communications TechnologyIPPC International Plant ProtectionIPV infectious pustular vulvo-vaginitisIT Information TechnologyKVI Kimron Veterinary InstituteLPAI low pathogenic avian influenzaLSD lumpy skin diseaseMOAG Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Israel)MOH Ministry of Health (Israel)MS Member State (of the EU)OIE World Organization for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties)PL Project LeaderPAO Program Administration OfficeRTA Resident Twinning AdvisorSANCO Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs (EC)STE Short Term ExpertTAIEX Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Unit (EC)US United StatesVMP Veterinary Medicinal ProductVPH Veterinary Public HealthVSAH Veterinary Services and Animal Health (Israel)WHO World Health Organization (of the United Nations)

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Twinning Project Fiche

Strengthening of Israeli Veterinary Inspection Authorities for Animal Health and Livestock Production System

1. BASC INFORMATION

1.1 Programme: Support to the Israeli ENP Action Plan

1.2 Twinning Number: IS10/ENPAP/HE04

1.3 Title: Strengthening of Israeli Veterinary Inspection Authorities for Animal Health and Livestock Production

1.4 Sector: Agriculture and Public Health

1.5 Beneficiary Country: Israel

2. OBJECTIVES

2.1 Overall Objective

The overall objective is to strengthen the Israeli veterinary administration in order to enhance the implementation of the animal health and “farm to fork” food safety policy.

2.2 Project purpose

The project purpose is the improvement of veterinary supervision and control of the production, distribution and use of animal feed; animal diseases and husbandry; animal welfare.

2.3 Contribution to Association Agreement and Action Plan

In view of the enlargement of May 2004, the European Union (EU) adopted on 11 March 2003 a new framework for its relations with its neighbours, including Israel, the so-called European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) whose overall goal is to foster the political and economic reform process, promote closer economic integration, legal and technical approximation and sustainable development. The central element of the ENP is the bilateral ENP Action Plans (AP) that, for Israel, was adopted on 11 April 2005. It sets out the joint ambition to develop closer relations as anticipated in the conclusions of the Essen Council of December 1994 which stated inter alia that: “The European Council considers

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that Israel, on account of its high level of economic development, should enjoy special status in its relations with the EU on the basis of reciprocity and common interest…” On that basis, the EU and Israel concluded an Association Agreement (AA) in 1995 that entered into force in 2000, and developed relations further in the context of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.Concerning the veterinary services, both the AA and the ENP AP call for collaboration between EU and Israel. In particular:

1. Article 46 of the AA deals with Agriculture, stating, inter alia, that Parties shall focus cooperation on technical assistance and training, and harmonisation of phytosanitary and veterinary standards.

2. Paragraph 6 of the AP entitled “improve co-operation on sanitary and phytosanitary matters as well as on food safety” includes the following actions:- explore possible areas of co-operation between Israel and the EC in the field of sanitary

issues (e.g.: legislation, implementing practices), while taking into account different conditions prevailing on both sides;

- exchange information on and, as appropriate, explore possibilities to increase convergence of Israeli legislation with EU legislation on sanitary (live animals and animal products);

- exchange views on the setting-up of an animal identification and traceability system.

3. DESCRIPTION

3.1 Background and justification

3.1.1 Israeli livestock sector

Livestock and animal products are of significant economic importance to Israel, representing about 39% of total agricultural output (source: Central Bureau of Statistics of the State of Israel).

Table 1. Animal Census (mean over the last 5 years)Cattle 330,000Buffaloes 300Sheep 435,000Goats 85,000Camels 11,000Pigs 180,000Horses 22,000Birds (poultry) 45,000,000Fish (in tons) 25,000Hives 80,000

(Source: Israeli Veterinary Services)

The Israeli agricultural sector is characterised by an intensive production system, which stems from the need to overcome the scarcity of natural resources, particularly water. Half of Israeli territory is, in fact, defined as desert.The high level of development reached in this sector is due to the close cooperation and interaction between scientists, extension advisers, farmers, and agriculture-related industries.

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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. Total agriculture products in 2007 accounted for 1.5% of the GDP.Some 64,500 people were directly employed in agriculture in the same year, about 2.3% of the country’s active labour force.Most of Israeli agriculture is based on cooperative settlements, which were developed in the early 20 th

century. The Kibbutz is a large collective production unit: Kibbutz members jointly own the means of production and share social and economic activities. At present, most of the Kibbutz income comes from industrial enterprises owned by the collective unit.Another type of settlement is the Moshav, which is based on individual farms yet organized as a cooperative society.The Kibbutzim and the Moshavim currently account for 83% of the agricultural production.In addition to the Jewish agricultural sector, a number of Arab villages are located in rural areas. These villages focus mainly on production of small livestock (sheep and goats).The dairy industry is one of the leading sectors in Israeli agriculture and supplies most of the domestic demand for milk and dairy products.Israel has a total annual output of approximately 1,185 million litres of cow milk, 9.8 million litres of sheep milk and 7.9 million litres of goat milk.Milk is produced on 1,010 farms, spread countrywide. The national dairy herd is composed of about 130,000 head of the Israeli-Holstein breed, which has been developed by the Israeli Genetic Improvement system. In 2007 the average annual milk yield per cow was 11,291 kg of milk, with 3.26% protein and 3.70% fat.The poultry sector produces about 1,700 million table eggs, 420,000 tons of broiler meat and 90,000 tons of turkey meat annually.The export market in livestock and animal products is largely to the EU and consists mainly of milk products, poultry meat, meat preparations and meat products, day-old chicks, fish and fish products, and honey bees.

3.1.2 Israeli Veterinary Services

The Israeli Veterinary Services and Animal Health (VSAH) are an independent unit within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, established in 1920 under the British Mandate. The Kimron Veterinary Institute (KVI) is the diagnostic and research branch of the VSAH. At local level Field Veterinary Services are organized in six Regional Veterinary Offices and are responsible for the prophylaxis and control of animal diseases (see annex 5 - VSAH organisation chart).

The VSAH, including the KVI, employs 281 people, of whom 193 are permanent employees, and 88 are recruited for specific research and disease eradication programmes. Half of these work in diagnosis and research, while the other half are employed in inspection and control.The VSAH may delegate authority and responsibilities to veterinarians not directly in its employ, such as veterinarians employed by the municipal authorities. These bodies employ approximately 300 people, including 170 veterinarians, 25 microbiologists and 80 veterinary inspectors, involved mainly in disease control and abattoirs.

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Recognised shortcomings of VSAH:Inefficiencies in the institutional and human capacities of VSAH:

(a) duplication of effort and overlapping of functions at national and regional/local levels;(b) reporting by local level veterinary service providers is to VSAH on professional/technical aspects,

while under the Ministry of Interior for administrative matters;(c) inadequate co-ordination with other stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of

Trade and Industry;(d) the Field Veterinary Service has too great an emphasis on vaccination programmes with insufficient

application of other measures for disease prevention such as livestock movement control and farm bio-security with the exception of poultry breeding units;

(e) absence of modern techniques of human resource management and development.

The knowledge that the relevant government institutions accept the need for broad reforms in the veterinary sector provides a strong indication that the political will necessary to support the changes is already present. Confirmation of this is provided by an acknowledgement that the reforms should include the following topics, for some of which the first steps are already in hand: (a) development of a national contingency plan for epidemic and endemic diseases including, inter

alia, effective mechanisms for early-warning, monitoring, and control that are compliant with OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) guidelines;

(b) working to obtain OIE declaration of Israel’s freedom from former "list A" diseases, in particular LSD, BSE, Rinderpest and HPAI;

(c) reforming the regulatory framework in line with international best practice;(d) enhancing the institutional and administrative context in order to develop public-private

partnerships in animal disease eradication, monitoring and control;(e) upgrading the human capacities of the field of veterinary services to allow the efficient planning

and implementation of the reform measures;(f) improving the system of animal identification and traceability from the points of view of both

livestock disease control and food safety;(g) upgrading general farm hygiene and sanitation to minimise the risk of animal disease and to

mitigate possible effects on the human food chain;(h) improving the systems for the disposal of dead animals and the management of waste from

agricultural production and processing in a manner that avoids negative impacts on human and animal health and on the environment;

(i) preparing and delivering accredited training programmes on farm feed safety issues with the objective of providing quality assurance for animal management and welfare;

(j) improving training programmes for farmers and traders on animal husbandry, maintenance and welfare in order to enhance biosecurity and animal welfare;

(k) restructuring the animal feed sector according to new responsibilities recently transferred by Ministerial decision to VSAH; total reviewing and rewriting the law and regulations on the safety of animal feed and on the use of veterinary medicinal products, including providing guidelines on the necessary manpower and laboratory facilities needed to successfully undertake these responsibilities;

(l) formulating programmes for the reduction of potential food-borne pathogens;(m)drafting new legislation on veterinary medicines, vaccines, insecticides and disinfectants;

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(n) drafting new legislation on residues of veterinary medicines, growth promoters and other substances potentially harmful to the health of consumers of animal products;

(o) strengthening and thoroughly implementing the national plan for residue monitoring;(p) strengthening the enforcement of existing legislation on the welfare of animals on farms and in

transportation;(q) improving farm-level disease monitoring and reporting with a view to the enhancement of farm

biosecurity.

3.1.3 Israeli legislation

In Israel primary legislation is adopted by the Knesset.

The Ministry of Agriculture adopts secondary level legislation in the form of Regulations. The animal and public health requirements are covered by national Regulations and Procedure sheets.

Concerning the scope of the twinning project, the most relevant pieces of legislation in force in Israel are:

Animal Disease Ordinance (new version) 1985; Different Animal Disease Regulations concerning single animal diseases; Regulation for the Control of the Export of Animals and Animal Products 1998; Animal Protection Law 1994.

Other Legal Acts, such as different Regulations concerning animal welfare, have been already drafted and are under the approval process (see annex 4 list of relevant Israeli Laws and Regulations).

It is acknowledged, both within the Ministry of Agriculture and by external providers of technical assistance to Israel, that the legislative provisions in the veterinary sector are incomplete and no longer consistent with internationally accepted standards in animal health and welfare, the slaughter of animals for human consumption and the processing of edible products of animal origin, the production, circulation and use of animal feed, the control of veterinary medicinal products and international trade.

The approach to the upgrading of the legislation is one of approximation of the laws and regulations of the country to the “veterinary acquis” of the European Union (see annex 3 List of relevant EU Laws and Regulations), by amendment or redrafting, to the extent that is appropriate and necessary for the legal system, the technical requirements and the culture of Israel.

Factors that have made the structure of the regulatory environment unique to Israel include, in particular, the history of the establishment of the State of Israel and the existence, prior to Israel’s independence in 1948, of the British Mandate in Palestine (see also Section 3.1.4: The public-private partnership in Israel). The consequences of those factors are, firstly, that the existing legislation is largely out of date and, secondly, that amendment of the existing legislation is often difficult.

3.1.4 The public-private partnership in Israel

The development of the State before the achievement of independence was largely by the establishment of kibbutzim, which were traditionally based on agriculture, from the early part of the 20th century onwards. The need for animal health services was soon recognised and a form of livestock health insurance was established by the dairy farmers and, in a much modified form, the resulting veterinary

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organisation (Hachaklait Mutual Society for Cattle Veterinary Services in Israel Ltd.) continues to exist, providing clinical services to dairy cattle and beef farms, to sheep and goat farms and to horse owners. There is a close association between the Hachaklait and both the Israel Dairy Board and the Israel Cattle Breeders Association, neither of which is a statutory organisation.

The relationship between the Egg and Poultry Board, which is a statutory organisation, and the official veterinary service is more intimate, with the veterinarians of the Board carrying out activities on behalf of the industry and the government and receiving 40 per cent of their salaries from the Board.

Partnership between the government VSAH and the private veterinary services is particularly strong in the poultry and dairy sectors and provides a strong basis for further enhancement of the cooperation between the public and private sectors. But there is, particularly in the case of the Egg and Poultry Board, a potential for issues of conflict of interest to arise and a need, therefore, to ensure that adequate official controls are in place in the case of official activities carried out on behalf of the government by veterinarians in the private or semi-official organizations. These factors will have to be taken into account in the revision of the veterinary legislation and of the management system of the VSAH.

3.1.5 The international environment and the control of trans-boundary diseases

The problems arising from the globalisation of zoonotic viral diseases throughout the first decade of the new millennium have been of steadily growing concern to national governments worldwide and to international agencies such as WHO, OIE, FAO and the European Commission.

Trans-boundary animal diseases are defined by FAO as those epidemic diseases which are highly contagious or transmissible and have the potential for very rapid spread, irrespective of national borders, causing serious socio-economic and possibly public health consequences. These diseases which cause a high morbidity and mortality in susceptible animal populations constitute a constant threat to the livelihood of livestock farmers and may also have a significant detrimental effect on national economies.

Trans-boundary animal diseases have the potential to: threaten food security; increase poverty levels in poor communities that have a high dependence on livestock

farming for sustenance; cause major production losses for livestock products such as meat; milk and other dairy

products; add significantly to the cost of livestock production through the necessity of applying costly

disease control measures; seriously disrupt or inhibit trade in livestock and livestock products either within a country or

internationally; cause public health consequences in the case of those transboundary animal diseases which

are zoonotic; cause environmental consequences through deaths in wildlife populations; cause animal welfare problems in affected animals.

It is imperative, therefore, that effective measures are taken to prevent, or at least minimise, the damage that such diseases may cause to the economy of the country, its human and animal population and the environment.

The “One World, One Health” concept, enunciated at the 2007 New Delhi International Ministerial Conference in the context of avian and pandemic influenza, referred to the need for animal, human and

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environmental health to be integrated and for greater inter-country cooperation in capacity building for coping with potential pandemics. The importance of enhancing inter-government solidarity and cooperation between countries, with support from international organizations, was also stressed at the conference; a message that can be applied particularly to the need for synergy of effort in heath matters in the Middle East context.

Several highly relevant statements regarding the international control of animal diseases are made in a paper by Arnon Shimshony of VSAH on “Epidemiology of Emerging Zoonoses in Israel” delivered to the 1st International Conference on Emerging Zoonoses (in1996?). The following are quotations from Shimshony’s paper.

“The cardinal factors [in the emergence of zoonoses] predominant in the Middle East are the need for improved veterinary infrastructure, direct information exchange, and cooperation between the countries of the region.

“Of the – (omissis) - diseases - (omissis) - reviewed, at least four, brucellosis, rabies, leishmaniasis, and echinococcosis, can be effectively controlled only if cooperation and animal health information systems are established on a regional level.

“The assistance of the international community to the establishment of regional veterinary cooperation in the Middle East is of great importance.”

Israel is in a uniquely difficult position with regard to the prevention, detection, containment and eradication of transboundary animal diseases because of the presence in the region of several immediate and relatively close neighbouring countries that are at best uncooperative and at worst actively hostile to the very existence of the State of Israel. The reality of the risk of disease incursion is illustrated by the data on disease prevalence in the region shown in the tables (see annex 6 Animal Diseases in Israel and in the Region). The country is additionally at risk from bio-terrorism through the deliberate introduction of serious epidemic livestock and/or human diseases.

Among Israel’s immediate neighbours, however, varying levels of cooperation in livestock disease control are possible in the case of Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. No formal contact is possible with the governments of either Lebanon or Syria.

The risk of disease incursions is increased by the less well developed institutional status of the animal health services of Israel’s neighbours. Israel is willing to, and in practice does, share information and technical knowledge with other states in the region and such cooperation, which is often at an informal level, gives some indication of what might in future become possible in a more official context.

It is difficult to be optimistic, but it is nevertheless hoped that informal cooperation might increase with those neighbours on animal, human and environmental health issues at a sub-governmental level and that the Twinning Project might provide an opportunity for such cross-border contact to be established or, at least, to encourage and facilitate the participation of Israel in international non-political forums on health issues where interaction with representatives of other states in the region would be possible.

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3.1.6 The animal disease status of Israel

The status of a number of significant animal and zoonotic diseases in Israel and surrounding countries is shown in annex 6 Animal Diseases in Israel and in the Region.

3.1.7 Expected reform of the structure of the VSAH

Improvement of the management structure of the VSAH is necessary, but serious instability within the service is currently impeding the development of a clear vision of the best way forward.

Accusations, apparently originating from within the organization itself, prompted the establishment of a Government Investigation Committee in June 2008 to consider the possibility of corrupt activities and inefficient management by two senior staff members in VSAH. The deliberations of the Committee are still ongoing, but no basis has been found so far to support criminal proceedings against any of those persons against whom allegations had been made.

The investigation has given rise to mutual suspicions and tensions among staff of the service at central level and, although the instability resulting from this legal process appears to have had a minimal effect on the routine activities of the service, a full restoration of normality is unlikely before the Committee has completed its work and delivered a final judgment.

The management crisis within VSAH seems at this stage unlikely to be a serious constraint to the implementation of the Twinning project: on the contrary, it is rather seen in the current context as an opportunity for the project to advise and assist in a radical restructuring of the Bet Dagan head office chain of command and the VSAH management system.

3.2 Linked activities

VSAH is receiving assistance from TAIEX in the area of fish products and food safety, namely:- a seminar on fish products was implemented in Israel from 8-9 June 2009 where different

aspects concerning fish products (legislation, hygiene rules, classification and approval of establishments and vessels, mollusc diseases, official control, laboratory sampling and testing, control at BIPs) were discussed;

- a study visit on EU rules on fish health is planned in Brussels from 12-16 October 2009, mainly dealing with import control of live fishery products, including ornamental fish and control and monitoring programmes regarding fish health;

- a seminar on food safety and the role of the European Food Safety Authority was held in Brussels, from 1-2 July 2009, with the participation of the Director of Kimron Veterinary Institute.

The EU-Israel ENP AP, under the New Partnership Perspectives, creates new opportunities for cooperation on technical assistance and training, and harmonisation of phytosanitary and veterinary standards. In this case targeted assistance for strengthening the Israeli Veterinary Authorities might be an appropriate target.

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3.3 Results

The project is divided into three components:

Component 1: Animal feed.In order to ensure the safety of the animal and human food chain from the earliest stages in the production of food of animal origin intended for human consumption, the Project will, in close collaboration with the technical and legal departments of the MOAG, establish a comprehensive system for detecting unacceptable levels of contaminants through:

registration, inspection and control of feed suppliers; monitoring and controlling the manufacture, import-export, sale and distribution and on-farm

use of animal feed, through inspection, sampling and analysis.

The mandatory results are those that the Member State (MS) and the Beneficiary Country (BC) jointly agree to achieve by the end of the Twinning Project in order to realize the three purposes of the twinning.

Mandatory results for component 1:1. The Project will support the introduction of new legislation for the control of animal feed, in

particular by advising on technical aspects and on the approximation of the new regulatory measures to EU standards, including the adoption of a rapid alert system in line with Israeli standards, to be activated when problems arise in the feed chain and the inspection procedures and sampling criteria for consignments of feedstuffs imported in sea-vessels. New regulations and guidelines on detection of contaminants, requirements for laboratories (including manpower, equipment and analytical methods) would be drafted.

2. The Project will take steps to ensure that the new control measures are effectively implemented and sustained by improving staff competencies through training and the provision of a procedures and training manual.

3. A monitoring system aimed at optimising the performance of the relevant staff will be established, taking into account the existing procedures, with the advice and support of the Project. The monitoring system will be applied to all three components and to other activities of the veterinary inspectors.

4. An awareness campaign will be developed and delivered to ensure that all relevant stakeholders, in particular feed suppliers, are familiar with the implications of the new policy on animal feed.

Key indicators of achievement are the following:Result 1.1 - Support for the introduction of new legislation on animal feed. An approximated animal feed law and relevant regulations drafted by project experts, VSAH and

MOAG Legal Dep’t by project month 7. Draft legal instruments approved by Administration. Primary law adopted by Government.

Result 1.2 - Improve competencies of staff to fulfil new duties including a rapid alert system in line with Israeli standards. At least one staff member at central level and one staff member for each region trained on new

requirements on feed control, including the rapid alert system, traceability and import-export control by project month 5.

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A manual of procedures prepared by project experts and RTA, printed and circulated to staff by project month 8.

Result 1.3 - Establish a monitoring system for staff performance, taking into account existing procedures, covering all components of the project. Each Human Resource Department staff member and Managers trained on staff monitoring by

project month 13. Electronic system for staff monitoring records prepared by project experts and in place by project

month 13. No of records produced by VSAH by the end of the project.

Result 1.4 - Improve general knowledge of new policies. An awareness campaign is planned by project experts, VSAH and the MOAG Extension

Service and completed by project month 17. Publicity materials have been produced and distributed to the target audience by project month

17.

Component 2: Animal health.In order to enhance the official control measures for endemic and exotic animal diseases and to upgrade the supervision of on-farm bio-security, hygiene and the use of medication the Project will assist in the development of new policies and strategies, supported by revision of the regulatory framework to current international standards and aligned with the measures in place in EU Member States. The overall aims will be: (i.) to obtain statistically reliable epidemiological data for both early warning of active disease and as a basis for the development of control and eradication policies; and (ii.) to improve husbandry at farm level in order to minimise the risk of disease spread and to mitigate the impact of livestock disease if it does occur.

Mandatory results for component 2:1. Policies and strategies for the detection, containment and elimination of specified livestock diseases

will be developed, in cooperation with the technical staff of VSAH, based on surveillance and other epidemiological data in line with international standards.

2. The animal disease legislation will be assessed and amended as necessary to support those objectives.

3. New official veterinary sanitary controls at farm level on bio-security, hygiene, animal movement and supervision of the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed will be introduced with the encouragement and support of the Project.

Key indicators of achievement are the following:Result 2.1 - Promote policies and strategies based on surveillance and other epidemiological data in line with international standards.

An intersectoral animal health working group, including MOAG, VSAH and MOH has been established by project month 5.

Animal disease surveillance protocols are revised by project experts in collaboration with VSAH and are in place by project month 11.

New disease control policies and strategies have been elaborated by project experts in collaboration with VSAH by project month 18.

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Result 2.2 - Assess and amend the animal disease legislation to support those objectives. Amended regulations have been drafted by the project experts in collaboration with VSAH and

MOAG Legal Dpt. by project month 12. Amended regulations have been adopted. by the Administration.

Result 2.3 - Introduce official veterinary sanitary control, including bio-security, hygiene, animal movement and supervision of the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed, at farm level. Manual on new procedures prepared by project experts and VSAH by project month 8. At least two members of staff at central level and one staff member for each region trained on

official veterinary sanitary controls by project month 9. New veterinary sanitary controls at farm level are being implemented by regional staff by project

month 10.

Component 3: Animal welfareIn order to enhance the implementation of animal welfare controls the Project will advise on and support the development of enhanced strategies for the implementation of the legislation, will improve the understanding and competence of the staff involved by the preparation and delivery of appropriate training in animal behaviour and welfare and will prepare animal owners and the public for the new measures by an extension campaign.

Mandatory results for component 3:1. The Project will advise on and support the revision of animal welfare enforcement strategies and

ensure that they are effectively implemented and sustained by improving staff competencies through training on EU animal welfare standards and on the implementation of the new responsibilities.

2. An extension campaign on animal welfare aimed at livestock producers and the public, including schoolchildren, will be developed and delivered with the support of the Project.

Key indicators of achievement are the following:Result 3.1 – Improvement of staff competencies on EU animal welfare standards and on the implementation of new responsibilities: A manual on animal welfare procedures has been prepared by project expert and RTA by project

month 15. At least one staff member for each region and all the staff of the Enforcement Unit trained on

animal welfare official control by project month 16.

Result 3.2 - Advise on and support an extension campaign on animal welfare aimed at livestock producers and the public, including schools. An awareness campaign is planned by the project expert, VSAH and the MOAG Extension Service

and completed by project month 19. Publicity materials have been produced by project month 15. Publicity materials have been distributed to the target audience, including schools from project

month 15 to the end of the project.

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3.4 Activities

3.4.1 Activities common to all of the project results

Kick-off and closing conferences

Benchmarks: Kick-off and closing conferences organised, each for around 50 – 70 participants including high ranking officials. The aim of these conferences is to increase the visibility of the Twinning Project objectives and results and to support fruitful cooperation.

3.4.2 Activities related to each of the project components

(see also annex 1 Logical framework matrix)

Component 1. Introduction of comprehensive control on the preparation, distribution and use of animal feed

A1. Activities for Result 1.11. Provision of legal, managerial and technical support for developing new legislation in the feed

sector, including, but not limited to: import-export of feedstuffs, feed (production) centres, use of “unconventional feedstuffs”, registration and control of feed suppliers, official sampling and control of feed suppliers.

(a) Benchmarks. A working group in the Legal Department of MOAG, with the participation of the national feed expert and the support of the twinning expert, is activated and meets regularly in order to develop new legislation in the feed sector in line with international and EU standards. The existing Israeli legislation is translated into English. A training course on the process of legal approximation is designed, teaching materials prepared, and working group members trained. A new draft of the feed law and regulations are prepared and submitted for approval. A proposal for the restructuring of the Veterinary Inspection Authorities and current animal health legislation, regulations and standards are outdated;

(b) the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of VSAH and other stakeholders involved in animal disease control are not clearly defined in the law;

(c) specifications and standards in the livestock production and veterinary sectors are not in line with international best practices.

the Central Laboratory, including the necessary manpower and laboratory equipment, is prepared and submitted to MOAG for approval.

The Ministry of Agriculture is working on the preparation of a first draft of the Feed Law, but implementing Regulations still have to be prepared. In this sector the twinning project will deliver much needed assistance, as well as providing training and new tools, such as the process of legal approximation.

Methods and Resources. It is envisaged that this activity will be completed in about 4 months. The first step will be the establishment of a working group in the Legal Department of the MOAG including also national animal feed experts. The working group will receive support and advice from the RTA, a legal expert and a feed expert.

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At the same time the RTA will provide for the translation into English of relevant Israeli legislation and drafts of new regulations if these are not already available. It is estimated that about 60 pages could be translated.During the following mission, the legal expert will provide a three day course on the process of legal approximation, directed to the working group members.During two missions of 5 days each, the legal expert will prepare and draft a proposal for amendment of the feed legislation.The RTA, assisted by a management expert, will support the restructuring of the Israeli Veterinary Inspection Authorities, in order to allow better implementation of new competencies in official controls, including providing guidelines on the necessary manpower and laboratory facilities needed to successfully undertake these responsibilities.

A2. Activities for result 1.21. Prepare a manual of procedures for feed control;2. Design a rapid alert system for feed in line with Israeli standards;3. Provide training of staff at central and local level in the implementation of the new legislation.

Benchmarks. A manual of procedures for feed control, including, inter alia, forms and check lists, sampling, procedures for collection of data and their transmission, laboratory testing, traceability, etc. is drafted, discussed with relevant stakeholders, and comments included into the final version. Information concerning animal feed, especially local production and import, are collected and analysed in order to permit the design of a new integrated surveillance system adapted to Israeli situation, allowing for rapid alert in case of risks detected in feed. The system will be in line with international and EU standards and will contribute to the improvement of feed traceability. A training course on the feed rapid alert system adapted to Israeli situation is designed, training materials prepared and staff at central and local level is trained. The course will be evaluated both for increased competencies (ex-ante – ex-post) and for its quality. A study visit in a MS for 7 national staff is implemented. It is expected that the study visit would speed up the implementation of the new feed control procedures, increase their motivation, facilitate the sharing of information with other colleagues and develop links and common understanding with the MS Feed Administration. A training course on import-export, registration and control of feed suppliers is designed, teaching materials prepared and staff at central and regional level trained.

The purpose of this activity is to improve competencies of the national staff in official feed control, at present completely non-existent in Israel.

Methods and Resources. It is expected that this activity could be completed in four months. In order to support a better practical knowledge of implementation practices in the feed sector, 7 national staff coming from central and regional levels, will participate in a 5 day study tour, visiting relevant administration units of a MS.To complete the training process, a 3 day course on the practical enforcement of the requirements under the new legislation will be delivered by the feed expert.The following step will consist in the preparation of a procedures manual for feed control, including, inter alia, forms and check lists, and modalities for the collection and transmission of data from regional to central level. This manual will allow for further training after the conclusion of the twinning project, ensuring sustainability. The manual will be jointly prepared by the feed and communication experts, taking into account local cultures.

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The RTA, together with the feed and IT experts, will be in charge of collecting information on the existing electronic data system for feed, designing a new one allowing for the integration of data coming from different stakeholders, and for introducing a rapid alert system for feed.After completing this step, the feed expert will design and deliver a 3 day training course on the rapid alert system for feed.

A3. Activities for result 1.31. Provide management training for supervisors at central and regional levels, taking into account

existing procedures, covering all the components of the project;2. Prepare a recording system for monitoring performance.

Benchmarks. A training course on management to supervise staff performance is designed, taking into account existing procedures, teaching materials prepared and staff at central and regional level trained. The course will be evaluated both for increased competencies (ex-ante – ex-post) and for its quality. In order to permit the effective use of staff supervision, an electronic recording system will be designed, tested and introduced allowing the regular monitoring of performance at central and regional levels. During the expert missions the follow up on enforcement of management procedures will be ensured as well as the input and output of the electronic recording system.

A key element in the process of strengthening the Israeli Veterinary Inspection Authorities consists in providing up-dated instruments for staff management and monitoring, which takes into account existing procedures.

Methods and Resources. The training course and recording system for monitoring performance developed under this activity will support also the other results and will be directed towards central and regional high level staff.The course will take into account existing procedures, will include theoretical and practical lessons and will be delivered by the management expert, assisted by the RTA, while the recording system will be designed by the management expert assisted by the IT expert.

A4. Activities for result 1.41. Assist in the preparation of an information campaign for feed suppliers on new policies in the

feed sector.

Benchmarks. In collaboration with the extension Service of MOAG an information campaign on animal feed, targeted to feed suppliers, will be designed, in order to allow a better understanding of new policies in the feed sector. Information materials, such as leaflets, posters, and other, as appropriate, will be prepared, printed and distributed through public and private organizations. Spots in different languages, in order to include different ethnic groups, will be prepared and broadcast.

Extension activities are well developed in Israel and play an important role in the livestock sector. The information campaign is intended principally for feed suppliers to inform them on the new policies and competencies of the official Veterinary Services in the feed sector. Special attention will be paid to the preparation of information materials and their dissemination, taking into account different culture and gender issues.

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Methods and Resources. The campaign will be prepared by the feed expert in collaboration with the communication expert, while the RTA will ensure follow up during the four months of its realization. Dissemination costs (printing costs and postage, radio and TV advertising) have been included in the budget.

Component 2. Enhancement of animal disease and husbandry controlA5. Activities for result 2.1

1. Support a working group, including the MOH as appropriate, to review and, where necessary, amend existing disease surveillance programmes, to share epidemiological information, to collate data for the development of new control policies and to harmonize procedures;

2. Provide training of staff on epidemiology, surveillance and new policies;3. Support the expansion of the epidemiological data-base;4. Training of staff at central level on evidence based decision making;5. Support in the preparation of new policies, in line with international standards and taking into

account different husbandry practices (intensive, nomadic), concerning animal disease control and eradication.

Benchmarks. In order to share epidemiological information, to collate data for the development of new control policies and to harmonize procedures, an inter-sectoral working group with MOAG and MOH representatives is established, the terms of reference for its activities are in place, the group meets regularly, the existing policies and disease surveillance programmes on animal health are reviewed and amended, as appropriate. A manual for joint epidemiological investigations is drafted, discussed and published. A study visit to ECDC, EFSA and MS on zoonoses for 7 national staff is carried out. It is expected that the study visit would improve staff understanding of EU Institutions and control policies dealing with animal health, increase their motivation, facilitate the sharing of information with other colleagues and develop links and common understanding with EU and MS Animal Health Administrations. A training course, split into two modules, on epidemiology, surveillance and new animal health policies is designed, teaching materials prepared and staff at central and regional levels, including, when possible, neighbouring countries, trained. The course will be evaluated both for increased competencies (ex-ante – ex-post) and for its quality. The existing epidemiological data-bases are assessed in particular for their compatibility and expanded, including a compatible data set for zoonoses control, specific to the needs of Israel and including GIS. A training course on the new data base is designed, teaching materials prepared and staff at central and regional levels trained. The course will be evaluated both for increased competencies (ex-ante – ex-post) and for its quality. A training course on evidence based decision making is designed, teaching materials prepared and staff at central level trained. The course will be evaluated both for increased competencies (ex-ante – ex-post) and for its quality. Animal disease control strategies and policies are revised and redrafted in collaboration with the working group described under A5, in line with international standards and taking into account different husbandry practices (intensive, nomadic) and based on sound evidence and epidemiological data.

This activity will be implemented over almost the whole twinning period, in fact it is envisaged that it will start shortly after the arrival of the RTA and last for 14 months. It takes into account the need, for developing a multi-sectoral approach in order to better prevent and control zoonoses, and to provide training and an electronic recording system. As regards the last point, it should be noted that a data base for zoonoses control is already being

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developed at the Ministry of Health and several other recording system for animal census and for specific animal diseases are already implemented by several actors.Since animal disease control strategies represent a key point of the twinning project, this activity aims also at developing evidence based decision making knowledge and implementation. If properly implemented, the new competency in this sector will allow for economic gain, for instance discouraging non-compulsory vaccination for disease in animals not at risk.

Methods and Resources. A number of steps will be implemented: the RTA, assisted by the animal health expert, will support the establishment of a working group at VSAH level, with the participation of representatives of the MOH when dealing with zoonoses, and representatives of the MOAG, the main entities dealing with animal health. Some of the tasks of the working group are: to revise and propose amendments of the existing animal disease surveillance programmes, to share epidemiological information, to collate and analyse data and to support new control policies and harmonise procedures. Zoonoses will be an important topic to be addressed by the working group. Further inputs on the subject will be ensured by the epidemiology and the animal health experts who will assist in the preparation of a manual for joint epidemiological investigations in order to support medical and veterinary coordination. A 5 day study visit to ECDC, EFSA and MS on zoonoses is envisaged for 7 national staff working at central and regional levels. In order to ensure training on epidemiology for central and regional staff, the epidemiology experts will design and implement a 10 days training course, split into two modules, with theoretical and practical components. The participation of animal health experts from neighbouring countries will be encouraged.The IT expert, with the assistance of the animal health expert, will prepare an assessment of the existing databases, in particular for their compatibility, in the relevant administrations and bodies and will design a new comprehensive version, including a compatible data set for zoonoses control, specific to the needs of Israel and including GIS. After finalising the new database, the two experts will be responsible for delivering a 5 day course on the use of the new database, with the participation of representatives of all administrations and bodies dealing with animal health and zoonoses.The legal expert, assisted by the RTA, will design and implement a 3 day training course on evidence based decision making directed at high level staff working at central level.The epidemiology and animal health expert, taking advantage also of the presence in Israel of the legal expert involved in other activities, will support the preparation of new animal disease control and eradication policies, in line with international standards and taking into account different husbandry practices (intensive, nomadic), based on sound evidence and epidemiological data.

A6. Activities for result 2.21. Carry out a gap-analysis of the existing disease control legislation; 2. Support the drafting of necessary amendments.

Benchmarks. A training course on the process of gap analysis of legislation is designed, teaching materials prepared and staff at central level trained. The course will be evaluated both for increased competencies (ex-ante – ex-post) and for its quality. Israeli legislation on animal diseases is translated into English. The staff at central level proceeds with the gap analysis process and necessary amendments are drafted and submitted for approval.

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This activity deals with the approximation of legislation and is principally aimed at the training of staff on methods used in this context.

Methods and Resources. After starting the process of improving animal disease surveillance programmes, the process of legal approximation concerning animal disease eradication and control will start with the training course described under A1 – course on legal approximation. The RTA will ensure the translation into English of the relevant legislation, estimated at about 100 pages.Follow up and support for the drafting of necessary amendments will be provided by the animal health expert and the legal expert during a 5 day mission each.

A7. Activities for result 2.31. Revise the relevant legislation in order to introduce official veterinary control of husbandry

practices, including animal movement and the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed at farm level;

2. Preparation of a procedures manual;3. Training of central and regional staff through a two module course.

Benchmarks. The relevant legislation is translated into English and amendments are introduced to support the new policies on official veterinary control of husbandry practices, including animal movements and the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed at farm level. A manual of procedures for the control of the preceding issues, including, inter alia, forms for farm recording and data transmission is drafted, discussed with stakeholders and published. A training of trainers course for staff at central and regional levels on veterinary husbandry practices, including animal movement and the use of medicinal products and medicated feed, is designed in the format of a two module course, teaching materials prepared and staff at central and regional level trained. The course will be evaluated both for increased competencies (ex-ante – ex-post) and for its quality. An extension programme for livestock farmers is designed and implemented by trained staff.

Before commencing the process of approximation of legislation concerning animal disease control and eradication, the project foresees a specific activity dealing with the introduction of official veterinary control of husbandry practices, including animal movement and the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed at farm level. In this context the term “husbandry practices” means the introduction of animals, registration of animal data (new born, sold animals, dead animals, etc.), state of premises, disinfection and control of rodents and other pests, waste management, hygiene and sanitation practices, production and storage of animal products.The use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed is of particular importance in the context of the protection of human health. It is also strictly linked to the annual residue monitoring control plan and with antimicrobial resistance.

Methods and Resources. After translation of the relevant legislation into English, the legal expert will assist in the preparation of the necessary amendments to allow for official veterinary control of husbandry practices, including animal movement and the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed. A team comprising the livestock expert, dairy expert, poultry expert, fish expert, bees expert and veterinary medicines expert will prepare a manual of

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procedures for the above mentioned official controls. A section of the manual will include forms for the recording of checks at farm level and data transmission from regional to central level. The manual should be designed in such a way as to allow the national official veterinarians to perform further training for veterinary technicians, farmers and private veterinarians.Subsequently, the team of above mentioned experts will design and deliver a 3 day x 2 module course on the veterinary supervision of veterinary sanitary control, animal movement and the control of medicines and medicated feed purchase, storage, use and recording system at farm level directed to central and regional staff (training of the trainers).The RTA will ensure follow-up and assist the national trained staff in the delivery of an extension programme for livestock farmers.

Component 3: Enhancement of animal welfare control

A8. Activities for result 3.11. Preparing a manual of procedures on animal welfare controls;2. Training of regional staff and the Enforcement Unit on EU animal welfare standards and the

implementation of official animal welfare controls.

Benchmarks. A manual on animal welfare procedures in line with international and EU standards is drafted, discussed with stakeholders and published. In order to consolidate competencies, a training course on EU animal welfare standards and official animal welfare control directed to regional staff and staff of the Enforcement Unit is designed, teaching material prepared and staff trained. The course will be evaluated both for increased competencies (ex-ante – ex-post) and for its quality.

Part of the Israeli legislation concerning animal welfare seems to be in line with EU standards, nevertheless official controls need to be introduced among the competencies of regional staff and the Enforcement Unit pertaining to the MOAG.

Methods and Resources. The animal welfare expert will prepare a manual on animal welfare procedures that could be used also after the end of the twinning project to ensure sustainability. The animal welfare expert will be responsible for the design and implementation of a training course intended for regional staff and Enforcement Unit staff on EU animal welfare standards and the evolution of EU legislation at European level, official animal welfare control, including theoretical and practical components.

A9. Activities for result 3.21. Assist in the preparation of an information campaign on animal welfare.

This activity is intended to increase peoples’ awareness regarding animal welfare, and is directed to producers, farmers, private veterinarians, the general public and schools. Special attention will be paid to the preparation of information materials and their dissemination, taking into account different targets and cultural, gender and environmental issues.

Benchmarks. In collaboration with the extension Service of MOAG an information campaign on animal welfare targeted to producers, farmers, private veterinarians and schools will be

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designed in order to increase awareness of the problem and knowledge of the new legislation. Information materials, such as leaflets, posters, and other, as appropriate, will be prepared, printed and distributed through public and private organizations. Spots in different languages, in order to include different ethnic groups, will be prepared and broadcast.

Methods and Resources. The campaign will be prepared by the animal welfare expert in collaboration with the communication expert, while the RTA will ensure follow up during the seven months of its realization. Dissemination costs (printing costs and postage, radio and TV advertising) as well as costs for the preparation of training materials for teachers have been included in the budget.

3.5 Inputs from MS Partner Administration

3.5.1 Profile and tasks of the Project Leader

Role and tasksThe Project Leader (PL) should be a high-ranking senior civil servant from the MS-partner administration at a level appropriate for the necessary political dialogue. She/he will coordinate and monitor the overall progress of the project. In particular, the PL will be able to call on short term experts in supporting the efficient implementation of the project and the full support at senior levels within the BC, lead the activities of the project, ensure the achievement of the mandatory results, and will be responsible for the implementation of the activities. She/he will coordinate, from the Member State side, the Project Steering Committee meetings, which will be held in Israel every three months.

The PL is expected to devote a minimum of three working days per month to the project with an on-site visit at least every three months to participate in the Project Steering Committees.

Profile- The PL should be a high-ranking senior civil servant in a MS Veterinary Administration.- At least 10 years of professional experience in the veterinary field that coincides with at least

one of the components covered by the Twinning Fiche; experience in more than one component would be considered as an asset.

- Fluent English is required.- Ability to liaise with EU institutions and other donors.- Good knowledge of EU project management.- Knowledge of the general structure and constituents of EU veterinary legislation and its

implementation in MS.- Experience in project implementation in the Mediterranean and/or Middle East Countries would

be an asset.- Experience in Twinning Projects will be an asset.

3.5.2 Profile and tasks of the RTA

Role and tasksManagement responsibilitiesThe RTA will be responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the project. She/he will coordinate the implementation of activities in compliance with the project work plan, propose amendments as appropriate, and liaise with the RTA counterpart in Israel.

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The RTA will be stationed in Israel for a period of 18 months, and will be based in the VSAH in Bet-Dagan, Tel Aviv.

Profile- The RTA should have at least 10 years of professional experience in the veterinary field.- Experience in management and communication.- Comparative knowledge of MS Veterinary Administrations would be an asset.- Ability to work in a difficult and multicultural environment.- Fluent English is required. A command of Hebrew would be an asset.- Good interpersonal skills are essential.- Strong analytical skills and team-working skills.- Ability to manage a team of experts, to co-ordinate highly complex and politically sensitive

activities and to liaise with EU institutions and other donors.- Computer literacy.- Knowledge of animal health international standards and role of international institution (Codex,

OIE, IPPC).- Experience in project implementation in the Mediterranean and/or Middle East Country would

be an asset.

The RTA Assistant will be recruited and funded by the project. The possibility of recruiting two RTA Assistants on part-time assignment will be considered. Legal background would be an asset.

3.5.3 Profile and tasks of the short-term experts (STEs)

The project activities are estimated to require the mobilization of at least 9 short-term experts, with different profiles, from the MS partner administration in order to complement the technical qualifications and skills of the RTA.The STEs will principally be seconded from the MS government administration, except for specific fields of expertise for which the MS partner might need to outsource expertise from mandated bodies and/or other ministries/authorities.

General requirements for all STEs are as follows:- university degree;- fluency in English;- computer literacy;- good interpersonal and communication skills;- good training skills;- post graduate qualification in the specific fields will be an advantage;- previous experience in Mediterranean and/or Middle East Countries will be an advantage.

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Key experts

STE profile Tasks Specific requirementsAnimal feed expert

1. Elaborate a manual of procedures for feed control.2. Participate in the design of an information system

allowing for a rapid alert system.3. Deliver a course on the rapid alert system.4. Assist in the preparation of a study tour for BC staff in a

MS.5. Prepare and deliver a course on official feed control.6. Participate in the preparation of an information

campaign on animal feed and preparation of information materials.

At least 5 years experience in EU legislation concerning feed and its enforcement, experience in drafting implementation guidelines, experience in rapid alert system and data collection. Previous experience in import of feedstuffs, feed (production) centres, “unconventional feedstuffs”, registration and control of feed suppliers, official sampling & control of feed suppliers is required.Previous experience in design of detailed procedures manuals and information materials will be an asset.

Animal health expert

1. Support the establishment of a multidisciplinary working group on the prevention of animal diseases, including zoonoses.

2. Assist in the preparation of a manual for joint epidemiological investigations.

3. Assist in the design of a new data base for animal disease, including zoonoses.

4. Support the revision of animal disease control strategies and policies.

5. Prepare and deliver a training course on gap analysis of legislation.

6. Assist in the gap analysis process.

At least 10 years experience in animal disease control, EU animal disease legislation and its enforcement, international standards for animal health, trans-boundary disease control.Experience and competencies over multiple animal species (ruminants, pigs, poultry, fish, bees) will be an asset.Previous experience in twinning projects or technical assistance projects will be an asset.

Legal expert 1. Support the creation of a working group in the Legal Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and provide support for its activities.

2. Prepare and deliver a training course on legal approximation and gap analysis of legislation.

3. Prepare amendments and regulations on feed.4. Prepare and deliver a training course on evidence based

decision making.5. Prepare amendments and regulations on animal health

control.6. Prepare amendments and regulations on official

veterinary controls at farm level, including animal movement and the use of veterinary medicines.

At least 10 years experience in EU legislation, harmonisation of legislation, drafting of legislation, legislation procedures, enforcement and implementation of legislation. Previous experience in twinning projects in ENPI country will be an asset. Previous experience in training activities will be an asset.Previous experience in animal welfare legislation will be an asset.

Animal welfare expert

1. Assist in the preparation of a manual on animal welfare procedures.

2. Prepare and deliver a training course on EU animal welfare standards and the implementation of official animal welfare controls.

3. Support the design of an information campaign on animal welfare.

At least 5 years experience in EU legislation concerning animal welfare and its enforcement, experience in drafting guidelines and procedures manuals.Masters degree in animal behaviour or equivalent proven experience. Previous experience in design of information materials will be an asset.

Management expert

1. Support the restructuring of the Veterinary Inspection Authorities.

2. Prepare and deliver a course on supervision of staff. 3. Assist in the design of a recording system for monitoring

performance.4. Prepare and deliver a course on evidence based decision

making.

Masters degree or equivalent in management. At least 10 years experience in staff management, capacity building, reform implementation. Previous experience in technical assistance will be an asset. Previous experience in training activities will be an asset.

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Other short term experts

STE profile Tasks Specific requirementsIT expert 1. Design of a new integrated information system

concerning feed, allowing for a rapid alert system.2. Participate in the preparation and delivery of a

training course on the rapid alert system.3. Prepare a recording system for monitoring staff

performance.4. Assess the existing data bases on animal disease

control and design a new comprehensive version, including a compatible data set for zoonoses.

5. Participate in the preparation and delivery of a training course on the new data base on animal disease control..

Previous experience in design of data base in the veterinary field.Previous experience in technical assistance will be an asset. Previous experience in training activities will be an asset.

Epidemiology expert

1. Assist in the preparation of a manual for joint epidemiological investigations.

2. Prepare and deliver a training course on epidemiology, surveillance and new policies for animal health control.

3. Participate in the preparation and delivery of a training course on the new data base on animal disease control.

4. Support the preparation of new animal health policies.

Post graduate or master’s degree in epidemiology/statistic.Experience in animal disease surveillance, including zoonoses.Intersectoral approach is desired.Previous experience in technical assistance will be an asset. Previous experience in training activities will be an asset.

Communications expert

1. Participate in the elaboration of a manual of procedures for feed control.

2. Support the design of an information campaign on animal feed.

3. Support the design of an information campaign on animal welfare.

Masters degree or equivalent in communication.Previous experience in preparing training materials and design of mass communication campaigns.Multicultural and gender approach is desired.Previous experience in technical assistance will be an asset.

Veterinary medicines expert

1. Elaboration of a manual of procedures for the control of the use of veterinary medicines and medicated feed.

2. Participate in the preparation and delivery of a training course on veterinary supervision at farm level and official control of medicinal products and medicated feed.

Experience in the implementation of EU policies on veterinary medicines.Previous experience in technical assistance will be an asset. Previous experience in training activities will be an asset.

4. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

The Veterinary Services & Animal Health (VSAH) located at the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MOAG) will be the Beneficiary for this Twinning Project.

The profile of the VSAH, its role, responsibilities (as set up by the Law) and its organizational structure are described in the Annexes of the Twinning Fiche.

The counterpart of the Member State team will be the VSAH. The implementation of the project will be supervised and co-ordinated by the VSAH in close co-operation with the Program Administration Office (PAO) and the European Commission Delegation to Israel.

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The implementation of the project will be also analysed by the Project’s Steering Committee.

5. BUDGET

The total budget for this Twinning project is up to € 0.95 Million.

6. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGMENTS

6.1 Implementing Agency responsible for tendering

The Implementing Agency which will be responsible for tendering, contracting and accounting of this twinning project is the Delegation of the European Commission to the State of Israel. The person in charge is:

Mr: Gianmatteo ArenaHead of Operation Section, Delegation of the EC to the State of Israel Address: 5-7 Shoham Street, Ramat Gan, IsraelPostal Address: P.O. Box 3513 Ramat Gan, 52136 IsraelTel: + 972-3 600 0921Fax: + 972-3 613 7770e-mail: gianmatteo.arena@ec.europa.eu

Assistance to the Delegation in the management and administration of the Twinning Programme is provided by the PAO (within the Ministry of Finance of Israel)

Director: Mr. Oren Rar-ElEurope Department, Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign AffairsPostal Address: P.O.Box 3013, Jerusalem, 91035 IsraelTel: +972-2-5303426Fax: +972-2-5304169Raphael.Morav@mfa.gov.il

6.2 Main counterpart in the BC

BC Project LeaderName: Dr Boris A. YakobsonJob Title: Head, Rabies Department, Kimron Veterinary Institute and Assistant of the Director,

VSAH for Project ManagementVeterinary Services and Animal HealthMinistry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Address: PO BOX 12, Beit Dagan 50250, IsraelTel: + 972-3-9681682Fax: + 972-3-9605293Mobile: +972-50-6241352e-mail: dir-kimron@moag.gov.il

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RTA CounterpartName: Michel BellaichJob Title: Head Epidemiology Unit

Veterinary Services and Animal HealthMinistry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Address: PO BOX 12, Beit Dagan 50250, IsraelTel: +972 -3-9688608Fax: +972 -3-9681761Email: michelb@moag.gov.il

6.3 Contracts

N/A

7. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE (INDICATIVE)

7.1 Launching of the call for proposals

Expected launch of call: January 2010

7.2 Start of project activities

Foreseen start of project activities: September 2010

7.3 Implementation period duration

The implementation period is 18 months. The total legal duration of the twinning contract is 22 months (implementation period + 3 months after the implementation period + 1 month before the implementation period).

Note: Should it appear likely that the allocated implementation period of 18 months will be inadequate for the full achievement of all the expected project results, favourable consideration would be given to a request during the second year of the project for a no-cost extension of the implementation period, of up to 3 months, provided that such an extension is compatible with the remaining budget.

(see also annex 2 Indicative implementation chart)

8. SUSTAINABILITY

The project is designed in such a way as to: improve the overall capacity of VSAH by strengthening legislative framework, the human and administrative capacities, the quality assurance mechanisms and the strategic partnership with relevant institutions in neighbouring countries in order to contribute to the enhancement of the Veterinary Inspection Authorities for the Animal Health and Livestock Production System in Israel.

Thus, the very goal of this Twinning Project is to ensure that the VSAH will continue to benefit from the project long after its completion. The sustainability of the project results will also be reinforced by a suggested approach based on informed choices, participatory decision-making and concerted actions

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between the Beneficiary and the MS partner as well as between the VSAH and the relevant stakeholders.

The MOAG has committed to support the twinning project by making available sufficient national resources, both in manpower and equipment, in order to ensure the sustainability of the project’s results. Sufficient funding has to be provided for the national disease control and vaccination campaigns, animal welfare and the enforcement of new feed legislation.

Manuals and guidelines will enable the Israeli staff to carry out further training, ensuring the continuity of activities and the spread of knowledge.

In the longer-term, the Twinning Project is likely to have particularly positive impacts on: Managerial and analytical skills of the VSAH; Establishment of a firmer legal basis for official veterinary control across the whole production

chain, in line with the “farm to fork” approach adopted by EU and OIE; International networking and co-operation of the VSAH with EU Agencies, Veterinary

Administrations of neighbouring countries and EU Member States.

9. CROSSCUTTING ISSUES (Equal opportunity, environment)

9.1 Equal opportunities

In the implementation of the project, equal opportunities will be guaranteed and special attention will be paid to:

- the participation of women in training activities;- the design of information campaigns and information materials avoiding gender prejudices;- the positive results that activities could bring on the economic situation of women.

According to the Progress Report on the Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy for Israel, gender inequality needs to be addressed especially as far as Israeli Arab women are concerned. The Knesset has recently set up a committee mandated to look into the reasons for the low representation of Israeli Arabs in the civil service.

A specific twinning project will be supported by the EC Delegation for strengthening the capacity of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in Israel.

9.2 Environment

The improved official veterinary control of husbandry practices, including, in particular, the control of the use of veterinary medicines, waste management and hygiene practices, is expected to have a positive impact on the environment by reducing or eliminating the improper and inappropriate discharge of materials and substances that are potentially harmful to the food chain and to the natural ecology.

10. CONDITIONALITY AND SEQUENCING

The VSAH will need to provide office accommodation and appropriate ICT equipment and support to meet the needs of the RTA and other experts. The proposed sequencing of the twinning project is shown in annex 2. Indicative Implementation Chart.

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ANNEXES TO PROJECT FICHE

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Annex 1. Logical framework matrix “Strengthening of the Israeli Veterinary Inspection Authorities for the Animal Health and the Livestock Production System”

Programme name and number: Support to the Israeli ENP Action Plan - IS09/ENPAP/HE04

Total budget:0,95 million EURO

Overall Objective Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of information AssumptionsThe overall objective is to strengthen the Israeli veterinary administration in order to enhance the implementation of the animal health and “farm to fork” food safety policy.

Control of the safety and quality of animal feed is more thorough.

Control of animal health and husbandry are improved.

The welfare of animals is enhanced.

Monitoring by the Commission, in consultation with the partners, to ensure the completeness and appropriateness of the revised control measures.

Quarterly and final Project reports.

Project purpose Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of information AssumptionsImprovement of veterinary supervision and control of:1. the production, distribution

and use of animal feed;2.animal disease and husbandry;3.animal welfare.

Proposed new legislation is drafted with reference to current international standards.

Training of specifically targeted staff has been completed and its effectiveness assessed.

Procedure manuals for the new responsibilities, as set out in the new legislation, are available.

Staff performance, in terms of both quantity and quality, is being monitored and improved.

Publicity on new measures has been prepared and delivered to the relevant target groups at appropriate stages in the life of the project.

Texts of amendments available at the Legal Department.

Certificates of training have been issued. Manuals have been printed. New staff records have been created. Publicity materials have been produced. Project quarterly reports, recording

achievements, have been prepared.

The management and staff of the veterinary service will be receptive to new concepts and will enthusiastically implement revised strategies aimed at improving the quality of their outputs.

Results for component 1 Animal feed

Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of information Assumptions

1.1 Support for the introduction of new legislation for the control of animal feed.

An approximated animal feed law and relevant regulations drafted by project experts, VSAH and MOAG Legal Dept. by project month 7.

Draft legal instruments approved by Administration.

Primary law adopted by Government.

The new primary law has been published in the official journal of the Government.

The new primary legislation will be in force during the life of the Project.

1.2 Improve staff competencies to ensure that new control measures are effectively implemented and sustained.

At least one staff member at central level and one staff member for each region have been trained on the new requirements for feed control, including rapid alert system, traceability and

Certificates of training have been issued and the manual of procedures printed.

Records of the monitoring the performance of staff will indicate the effectiveness of

Enforcement staff are committed, motivated and properly managed.

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import-export control by project month 11.

The effectiveness of the training has been assessed.

A manual of procedures has been prepared by project experts and RTA, printed and circulated to staff by project month 8.

training and of the new control policies.

1.3 Establish a monitoring system aimed at optimising staff performance, covering all components of the project.

Each Human Resource Department staff member and managers have been trained on staff monitoring by project month 13.

The effectiveness of the training has been assessed.

Electronic record monitoring system prepared by project experts and in place by project month 13.

The number and quality of records produced by VSAH by the end of the project.

Records of the monitoring the performance of staff will indicate the effectiveness of training and of the new control policies.

Enforcement staff are committed, motivated and properly managed.

1.4 Develop and deliver an awareness campaign to improve the stakeholders, in particular feed suppliers, knowledge of new policies.

An appropriately targeted awareness campaign is planned by project experts, VSAH and MOAG Extension Service and completed by project month 17.

The effectiveness of the campaign has been assessed.

Publicity materials have been produced and distributed to the target audience by project month 17.

Printed publicity materials for distribution to livestock farmers and practising veterinarians have been produced and are available.Lists for the distribution of leaflets etc. have been compiled and are available.Checks may be made regarding receipt of leaflets and other communications.

Stakeholders are receptive to the new concepts and control measures.

Results for component 2 Animal health

Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of information Assumptions

2.1 Develop policies and strategies for disease control based on surveillance and other epidemiological data in line with international standards.

An intersectoral animal health working group, including MOAG, VSAH and MOH has been established by project month 5.

Statistically valid animal disease surveillance protocols are revised by project experts in collaboration with VSAH and are in place by project month 11.

New evidence based disease

Records of the working group activities.Disease control policies and strategies are documented.

Commitment of working group members and effective collaboration between staff from different departments.The ability of staff to make objective decisions and to select the best options, under the guidance of Project experts, for improved livestock disease control.

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control policies and strategies, in line with current international standards, have been elaborated by project experts in collaboration with VSAH by project month 18.

2.2 Assess and amend the animal disease legislation to support those objectives.

Amended regulations, closely aligned with EU animal health measures, have been drafted by the project experts in collaboration with VSAH and MOAG Legal Dpt. by project month 12.

Amended regulations have been adopted by the Administration.

Drafts of the amended legislation has been prepared and the documents are available.The new legislation has been adopted and published in the official government journal.

Amended legislation can be adopted within the life of the Project.

2.3 Introduce official veterinary sanitary controls, including bio-security, hygiene, animal movement and supervision of the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed, at farm level.

Manual on new procedures prepared by project experts and VSAH by project month 8.

At least two staff members at central level and one staff member for each region trained on official veterinary sanitary controls by project month 9.

The effectiveness of the training has been assessed.

New veterinary sanitary controls at farm level are being effectively, in terms of quality and quantity, implemented by regional staff by project month 10.

A new Procedures Manual has been drafted, printed and made available to all relevant staff.Staff training has been delivered, using the new manual as a basis. Other training materials and attendance certificates are available. Implementation of the new procedures has commenced and reports are available of enforcement visits to livestock holdings.

The cooperation of livestock owners in the implementation of the new measures, as well as Livestock Associations.

Results for component 3 Animal welfare

Objectively verifiable indicators Sources of information Assumptions

3.1 Improvement of staff competencies on EU animal welfare standards and on the implementation of new responsibilities.

A manual on animal welfare procedures has been prepared by project expert and RTA by project month 15.

At least one staff member from each region and all the staff of the Enforce-ment Unit trained on animal welfare official control by project month 16.

The effectiveness of the training has been assessed.

Staff training has been delivered – materials and attendance certificates are available. A manual of procedures has been printed.

The staff at regional level and the Enforcement Unit is receptive to the new tasks.

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3.2 Develop and deliver an extension campaign on animal welfare aimed at livestock producers and the public, including schoolchildren.

An awareness campaign is planned by project expert, VSAH and MOAG Extension Service and completed by project month 19.

The effectiveness of the campaign has been assessed.

Publicity materials have been produced by project month 15, distributed to the target audience, including schools, from project month 18 to the end of the project.

Printed extension campaign materials are available.

The extension campaign on animal welfare is effective in raising the awareness of animal owners and in preparing them for the implementation of the new control measures.

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Activities common to all the results Objectively verifiable Indicators Means Assumptions

Activities common to all the results1. Kick-off meeting.2. Closing conference.

1. Conference participants identified and list prepared.

2. Dates, by project month 3 and project month 20 respectively at the latest, and the venues have been confirmed.

3. Number and origin of the participants attending each Conference has been recorded.

RTA + PL + Counterpart Core Team.

1. RTA, PL in place.2. Counterpart Core

Team nominated and available.

3. Core Team members (other than full time RTA counterpart) effectively released from other duties.

Activities for Component 1 Animal feed Objectively verifiable Indicators Means Assumptions

Activities contributing to the achievement of Result 1.1

1. Provision of legal, managerial and technical support for developing new legislation in the feed sector, including planning of new services at headquarter, regional and laboratory levels.

1. Working group in the Legal Department of MOAG including national animal feed experts activated before project month 5 and the number of meetings held recorded.

2. No. of days spent in Israel by experts.3. Relevant Israeli legislation translated into

English by the end of project month 4.4. Working group members trained on the process

of legal approximation by project month 4.5. Drafts of the feed law and regulations prepared

by project month 7.6. Restructuring of Veterinary Inspection

Authorities and Central Laboratory planned and drafted with the support of management expert.

1. RTA + legal expert (1 missions of 2 weeks) + animal feed expert (1 missions of 2 weeks).

2. Translation of about 60 pages.

3. 3 days training course by legal expert.

4. 2 mission of 5 days by legal expert.

5. RTA + management expert (2 missions of 5 days).

See above.

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Activities contributing to the achievement of Result 1.21. Prepare a manual of procedures on feed

control.2. Design a rapid alert system for feed in line

with Israeli standards. 3. Provide training of staff at central and local

levels in the implementation of new legislation.

1. Manual of procedures for feed control, including, inter alia, forms and check lists, collection and data transmission prepared by project month 8.

2. Information on the existing system collected, and a new integrated system designed allowing for rapid alert system for feed in line with Israeli standards.

3. No. of staff at central and local level trained on rapid alert system before project month 6.

4. No. of staff at central level participating in the study visit on implementation of feed legislation and quality of the visit.

5. No. of regional staff and the Enforcement Unit trained on requirements under the new legislation before project month 9.

6. Training of VSAH and regional staff on import-export, registration and control of feed suppliers, traceability, official sampling & control of feed suppliers before project month 6.

1. 5 days mission for feed expert and communication expert.

2. RTA + 5 days mission for feed expert + 2 x 5 days missions for IT expert.

3. 3 days course by feed expert and IT expert.

4. 5 days study tour x 7 national staff.

5. 3 days course by feed expert.

6. 5 days course by feed expert on import-export, registration and control of feed suppliers, traceability, official sampling & control of feed suppliers.

See above.

Activities contributing to the achievement of Result 1.31. Provide management training for supervisors

at central and regional levels covering all the components of the project.

2. Prepare a recording system for monitoring performance.

1. Training programme on management designed and delivered in project month 12.

2. Number and origin of staff trained recorded and quality of training assessed.

3. Management procedures enforced in the supervision of staff.

4. Electronic recording system for staff performances designed.

1. RTA + 5 days mission (2 days preparation and 3 days course) by management expert.

2. RTA + 5 days mission by IT expert + management expert.

See above.

Activities contributing to the achievement of Result 1.41. Assist in the preparation of an information

campaign for feed suppliers on new policies in the feed sector.

1. Information campaign on animal feed for feed suppliers and other selected relevant stakeholders designed and delivered from project month 14 onwards.

2. No. of leaflets, posters and other information materials prepared, printed and distributed as appropriate, again from project month 14 onwards.

3. No. of spots broadcasted in Hebrew and Arabic.

1. 5 days mission by feed expert and communication expert.

2. RTA.3. Dissemination costs

(printing costs and postage) + (radio and TV advertising).

See above.

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Activities for Component 2 Animal health Objectively verifiable Indicators Means Assumptions

Activities contributing to the achievement of Result 2.11. Support a working group, including the

Ministry of Health as appropriate, to review and, where appropriate, amend existing disease surveillance programmes, to share epidemiological information, to collate data for the development of new control policies and to harmonize procedures.

2. Provide training of staff on epidemiology, surveillance and new policies.

3. Support the expansion of the epidemiological data-base.

4. Training of staff at central level on evidence based decision making.

5. Support the preparation of new policies, in line with international standards, concerning animal disease control and eradication.

1. Working group established before project month 5 and the number of meetings held recorded.

2. Terms of reference for the activities of the group in prevention of animal disease, including zoonoses drafted before project month 2.

3. Manual for joint epidemiological investigations prepared by project month 7.

4. No. of staff participating in the study visit to MS, ECDC and EFSA on zoonoses and quality of the study tour recorded with their origins.

5. No. and origin of staff at central and regional level, including when possible, neighbouring countries, trained on epidemiology, surveillance and new policies and the quality of the training assessed by project month 10.

6. Assessment of the existing data bases implemented and report drafted, a new comprehensive version, including a compatible data set for zoonoses control specific to the needs of Israel and including GIS designed by project month 11.

7. No. of staff trained on the new data base and their origin recorded and quality of the training assessed.

8. No. of staff at central level trained on evidence based decision making by project month 13.

9. No. of animal disease control strategies and policies revised and redrafted by project month 18.

1. RTA + 2 x 5 days missions for animal health experts.

2. 5 days mission by epidemiology expert and animal health expert.

3. Study tour 5 days x 7 national staff.

4. 10 days split into 2 modules (2 for design + 8 for delivery of the course) on epidemiology, surveillance and new policies by epidemiology experts.

5. 5 days mission for animal health expert + 2 x 5 days missions for IT expert.

6. 5 days course on new data base by epidemiology expert and IT expert.

7. 5 days (2 days design + 3 days deliver course on evidence based decision making) for management expert + legal expert + RTA.

8. 2 missions x 5 days x epidemiology expert and x expert on international standards for animal health.

See above.

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Activities contributing to the achievement of Result 2.21. Carry out a gap analysis of the existing

disease control legislation.2. Support the drafting of necessary

amendments.

1. No. of central staff trained in the process of gap analysis of legislation recorded and the quality of training assessed by project month 9.

2. Israeli legislation on animal disease translated into English by project month 4.

3. Gap analysis process implemented by project month 10.

4. Necessary amendments drafted by project month 12.

1. See activities for sub result 1.1.

2. Translation of about 100 pages.

3. 5 days mission by animal health expert.

4. 5 days mission by legal expert.

See above.

Activities contributing to the achievement of Result 2.31. Revise relevant legislation in order to

introduce official veterinary control of husbandry practices, including animal movement the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed at farm level.

2. Preparation of a procedures manual.3. Training of central and regional staff through

a two modules course.

1. Relevant legislation translated into English by project month 4.

2. Amendments to support the new policies drafted and being implemented by project month 10.

3. Manual of procedures for the control of husbandry practices, animal movement and the use of veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed at farm level, including, inter alia, forms for farm recording and data transmission prepared. by project month 8.

4. Training of trainers course split into two modules designed and delivered.

5. No. of staff at central and regional level trained and the quality of the training assessed.

1. Translation of about 200 pages.

2. 2 x 5 days mission by legal expert.

3. 1 missions x 5 days x livestock expert, x dairy expert, x poultry expert, x veterinary medicinal products expert and 1 mission of 3 days x fish expert and x bees expert.

4. 1 course (4 days design + 3 days x 2 modules delivery course on veterinary supervision at farm level and animal movement, and official control of medicinal products and medicated feeds respectively) by RTA, livestock expert, fish expert, veterinary medicinal product expert.

See above.

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Activities for Component 3 Animal welfare Objectively verifiable Indicators Means Assumptions

Activities contributing to the achievement of Result 3.11. Prepare a manual of procedures on animal

welfare control.2. Training of regional staff and the Enforcement

Unit on EU animal welfare standards and the implementation of official animal welfare controls.

1. Manual on animal welfare procedures prepared with the support of animal welfare expert by project month 15.

2. Training course on EU animal welfare standards and the implementation of official animal welfare controls designed and delivered by project month 16.

3. No. and origin of staff trained recorded and the quality of training assessed.

1. 2 x 5 days mission x animal welfare expert.

2. 5 days (1 day design + 4 days theoretical and practical course on EU animal welfare standards and official control of animal welfare by animal welfare expert.

See above.

Activities contributing to the achievement of Result 3.21. Assist in the preparation of an information

campaign on animal welfare.

1. Information campaign on animal welfare for producers, farmers, private veterinarians and schools designed, planned and executed in project months 14 to 19.

2. No. of leaflets, posters and other information materials prepared and printed by project month 15 and distributed as appropriate.

3. No. of spots in Hebrew and Arabic broadcast.

1. 5 days mission by animal welfare expert and communication expert.

2. Dissemination costs (printing costs and postage).

3. Dissemination costs (radio and TV advertising) + training materials for teachers + supply of goods (for training and extension activities).

See above.

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Annex 2. Indicative implementation chart

Annex 2 – Indicative implementation chart                                             1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22Signature of contract x                                        Project implementation                                          RTA arrival   x                                      Steering Committee Meetings     x     x     x     x     x     x     xMonitoring and reporting     x     x     x     x     x     x     xActivities                                          

Activities in common for all results

1. Kick-off Meeting x2. Closing Conference xComponent 1: Introduction of comprehensive control on production, distribution and use of animal feed                                          

1.1 provision of legal, managerial and technical support for developing new legislation in the feed sector

     x x x x                            

1.2 improve competencies of staff in the implementation of rapid alert system for feed      

   x x x x x x x                    

1.2.1 prepare a manual on procedure on feed control               x                          1.2.2 design rapid alert system for feed                 x x                      1.2.3 provide training of staff in the implementation of new legislation        

x                             

1.3 establish a monitoring system for staff performance                       x x                1.3.1 provide management training for supervisors                        x                1.3.2 prepare recording system for monitoring performance                         x                1.4 improve general knowledge on new policies                           x x x x        Component 2 Enhancement of the official control of animal disease and husbandry                                          2.1 Promote policies based on surveillance and other epidemiological data         x x x x x x x x x x x x x x      2.1.1 Support a working group to review and amend existing disease surveillance programmes         x x x x x x x                    

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

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2.1.3 Provide training of staff on epidemiology, surveillance and new policies                  

x   

                

2.1.4 Support the expansion of the epidemiological data base                    

x   

              

2.1.5 Train staff on evidence based decision making                         x                2.1.6 Support preparation of new policies control and eradication                    

x x x x x x x x     

2.2 Revise animal disease control legislation                   x x x                   2.2.1 Carry out gap analysis of existing legislation                   x                      2.2.2 Support drafting of amendments                     x x                   2.3 Introduce official veterinary supervision of husbandry practices, including animal movement and veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed          

x x x x x x x x x x x x x     

2.3.1 Revise legislation to introduce official veterinary control at farm level          

x x                           

2.4.2 Prepare procedure manual             x x                           2.4.3 Train staff               x x                         Component 3 Enhancement of animal welfare control                                          3.1 Improve of competencies of staff                           x x          3.1.1 Prepare a manual of procedures                             x            3.1.2 Training on EU animal welfare standards and implementation of new control                               x          3.2 Advise on and support an extension campaign on animal welfare                          

x x x x x x 

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Annex 3. List of relevant EU Laws and Regulations

1. EU Legislation on Animal Feed1.1 Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April

2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules [See amending acts].(This Regulation is designed to fill in the loopholes in the existing legislation concerning the official control of food and feed thanks to a harmonised Community approach to the design and implementation of national control systems. The purpose of this Regulation is: to prevent or eliminate risks which may arise, either directly or via the environment, for human beings and animals, or reduce these risks to an acceptable level; to guarantee fair practices as regards trade in food and feed and the protection of consumers' interests, including labelling of food and feed and any other form of information intended for consumers.)

1.2 Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety [See amending acts].([There is a] need for a policy underpinned by a sound scientific basis and up-to-date legislation. The general overhaul of EU legislation is designed to restore consumer confidence in the wake of recent food-related crises, with all the interested parties having a part to play: the general public, non-governmental organisations, professional associations, trading partners and international trade organisations. Since differences between the food laws of the Member States may hamper the free movement of foodstuffs, it is necessary to define at EU level a common basis for measures governing human food and animal feed. With a view to adopting a comprehensive, integrated "farm to table" approach, legislation must cover all aspects of the food production chain: primary production, processing, transport, distribution through to the sale or supply of food and feed. At all stages of this chain, the legal responsibility for ensuring the safety of foodstuffs rests with the operator. A similar system should apply to feed business operators. The recent food crises have shown that it is necessary to improve the procedures relating to food safety. For this reason, the scope of the rapid alert system was extended to cover animal feed and to identify measures to be taken in emergencies and for crisis management.)

1.3 Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption.(Community establishments and imports are subject to the controls laid down by this Regulation. The competent authorities approve establishments that comply with Community regulations concerning official controls on feedingstuffs and foodstuffs. The official controls include audits of good hygiene practices and HACCP principles, as well as specific controls whose requirements are determined by sector: fresh meat, bivalve molluscs, fishery products, milk and dairy products.)

1.4 Commission Decision 2004/478/EC of 29 April 2004 concerning the adoption of a general plan for food/feed crisis management.(This decision provides for the adoption of a general crisis-management plan whenever a critical situation arises or where there may be a potentially serious risk. In the event of a crisis arising, the general plan entails the setting up of a crisis unit composed of the crisis coordinators from the Member States affected and other representatives of the Commission and the Authority, with the latter providing the necessary scientific and technical assistance.

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The crisis unit is expected to take rapid and efficient action, after having analysed all the relevant data and identifying the options available for managing the crisis.)

1.5 Council Directive 97/78/EC of 18 December 1997 laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries and repealing Directive 90/675/EC [See amending acts].(This Directive applies to products from third countries. It is supplemented by Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on official controls carried out on food and feed. The Directive originally used the term "product" to refer only to food and feed of animal origin. Under the 2004 Regulation, this concept is extended to cover all food and feed, including products of plant origin.)

2. EU Legislation on Prevention and Control of Diseases of Animals2.1 Council Directive 2003/85/EC of 29 September 2003 on Community measures for the

control of foot-and-mouth disease repealing Directive 85/511/EEC and Decisions 89/531/EEC and 91/665/EEC and amending Directive 92/46/EEC.(The Directive provides for measures to control and eradicate the disease with the aim to regain the disease and infection free status of the affected territory. The control measures are based on stamping-out of infected and in-contact herds, and on regional restrictions on the movement of susceptible animals and their products. Provisions are made for the use of emergency vaccination. To this end the Community maintains one of the world's biggest antigen banks for express formulation of vaccines.)

2.2 Council Directive 2005/94/EC of 20 December 2005 on Community measures for the control of avian influenza and repealing Directive 92/40/EEC.(The Directive aims at better prevention and control of outbreaks. It takes into account the most recent scientific knowledge on avian influenza. All suspected cases of AI in domestic poultry and captive birds must be investigated and appropriate measures taken in case of confirmation of both Low and High Pathogenic Avian Influenza. To limit the spread, infected poultry must be killed in a humane way and disposed of safely. Feeding stuffs, contaminated equipment and manure must be destroyed or treated to render the virus inactive. The Directive authorises preventive vaccination to halt any further spread of infection. Although vaccination protects animals against the clinical signs of the disease, they may still become infected and contribute to its spread. Vaccination must therefore be accompanied by appropriate surveillance and restriction measures.)

2.3 Council Directive 2000/75/EC of 20 November 2000 laying down specific provisions for the control and eradication of bluetongue (The Directive lays down control rules and measures to combat bluetongue in the Community, including the establishment of protection and surveillance zones and a ban on animals of the susceptible species leaving those zones. The demarcation of protection and surveillance zones must take account of geographical, administrative, ecological and epizootiological factors connected with bluetongue and of the control arrangements. In order to take account of those factors, it was deemed necessary to lay down rules as regards the minimum harmonised requirements for monitoring and surveillance of bluetongue in the Community.)

2.4 Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals.(The minimum Community measures for the control of the fish diseases referred to in list I and II of Annex A to Directive 91/67/EEC are laid down in Council Directive 93/53/EEC of 24 June 1993. When fish on a farm are suspected of being infected with a list I disease,

42

infectious salmon anaemia (ISA), the official services must initiate official investigations to confirm or rule out the presence of the disease. When the presence of the disease is confirmed, fish infected with the disease are killed and destroyed as soon as possible to prevent the spread of the disease. Member States must have contingency plans for List I diseases. List II diseases are important endemic diseases that should be contained and eradicated in the long term. Where fish are suspected of being infected or infected with a list II disease, i.e. viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) and infectious haematopoietic necrosis(IHN) an official investigation must be initiated to confirm or rule out the presence of the disease. All farms rearing or keeping fish susceptible to list I or list II disease must be registered by the official service and keep records of mortality and the movement into and out of the farm.)

2.5 Council Directive 2001/89/EC of 23 October 2001 on Community measures for the control of classical swine fever.(In case of an outbreak of CSF in domestic pigs or when cases occur in wild boar, further protection measures can be adopted by the Commission. Member States have to draw up a contingency plan in order to be prepared in the event of outbreaks of CSF. Emergency vaccination against classical swine fever can be used for the control of CSF in the event of outbreaks. In order to respond quickly, the Community has purchased 1.000.000 doses of live attenuated CSF vaccine and made arrangements for keeping it in stock and making it rapidly available in case of an emergency vaccination of domestic pigs. Emergency vaccination of domestic pigs has been conducted during the past two years only in Romania. CSF is still present in some wild boar populations in some Member States.)

2.6 Council Directive 92/66/EEC of 14 July 1992 introducing Community measures for the control of Newcastle disease (In case of disease outbreaks specific control measures including killing of infected animals and those suspected to be infected or contaminated need to be implemented in the infected holdings and areas around the outbreaks. Council Directive 92/66/EEC requires setting up a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone. The protection zone measures must be applied for at least 21 days, and the surveillance zone measures must be applied for at least 30 days after the cleaning and disinfection of the outbreak holding.)

2.7 Council Directive 92/119/EEC of 17 December 1992 introducing general Community measures for the control of certain animal diseases and specific measures relating to swine vesicular disease.(The Directive specifically covers: epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer; lumpy skin disease; peste des petits ruminants; Rift Valley fever; Rinderpest; sheep and goat pox; swine vesicular disease; vesicular stomatitis.)

3. EU Legislation on Veterinary Medicinal Products and Medicated Feedingstuffs3.1 Consolidated Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6

November 2001 on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products as amended by Directive 2004/28/EC.

3.2 Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 laying down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Medicines Agency (Consolidated version: 20 April 2009).

3.3 Regulation (EC) No 470/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 May 2009 laying down Community procedures for the establishment of residue limits of pharmacologically active substances in foodstuffs of animal origin, repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90 and amending Directive 2001/82/EC of the European

43

Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

3.4 Council Regulation (EC) No 1308/1999 of 15 June 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 2377/90 laying down a Community procedure for the establishment of maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal origin.

3.5 Council Directive 90/167/EEC of 26 March 1990 laying down the conditions governing the preparation, placing on the market and use of medicated feedingstuffs in the Community.

4. EU Legislation on the Protection of Animal Welfare4.1 Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for

farming purposes. 4.2 Council Directive 91/630/EEC of 19 November 1991 laying down minimum standards for

the protection of pigs.4.3 Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the

protection of laying hens.4.4 Council Regulation (EC) no 1028/2006 of 19 June 2006 on marketing standards for eggs.4.5 Commission Regulation (EC) no 557/2007 laying down detailed rules for implementing

Council Regulation (EC) no 1028/2006 23 May 2007 on marketing standards for eggs.4.6 Commission Directive 2002/4/EC of 30 January 2002 on the registration of establishments

keeping laying hens, covered by Council Directive 1999/74/EC.4.7 Council Directive 2007/43 of 28 June 2007 laying down minimum rules for the protection

of chickens kept for meat production.4.8 Council Directive 2008/119/EC of 18 December 2008, Official Journal L 010 , 15/01/2009

P. 0007 - 0013 laying down minimum standards for the protection of calves.4.9 Council Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time

of slaughter or killing.4.10 Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004, on the protection of animals

during transport and related operations.4.11 Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 of 25 June 1997 concerning Community criteria for

staging points and amending the route plan referred to in the Annex to Directive 91/628/EEC.

4.12 Regulation (EC) No 1523/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2007 banning the placing on the market and the import to, or export from, the Community of cat and dog fur, and products containing such fur.

4.13 Council Directive 1999/22/EC of 29 March 1999 relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos.

4.14 Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.

5. EU Legislation on Products of Animal Origin Intended for Human Consumption5.1 Council Directive 2002/99/EC of 12 December 2002 laying down the animal health rules

governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption.(The Directive makes the Member States responsible for measures needed to eradicate the transmission of animal diseases and lays down the conditions to be met for products of animal origin, banning those from areas or territories subject to animal health restrictions. In the latter case, the Directive stipulates the conditions for possible derogations.)

5.2 Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs.

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(This Regulation seeks to ensure the hygiene of foodstuffs at all stages of the production process, from primary production up to and including sale to the final consumer. It does not cover issues relating to nutrition or to the composition or quality of foodstuffs.)

5.3 Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 29 April 2004, laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.(Foodstuffs of animal origin may present microbiological and chemical hazards, necessitating the adoption of specific hygiene rules - - - - - ensuring a high level of public health protection. These rules supplement those laid down in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, which primarily concerns the approval of operators. The provisions of this Regulation apply to unprocessed and processed products of animal origin, but not to foods consisting partly of products of plant origin.)

5.4 Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific rules for the organisation of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption.(Community establishments and imports are subject to the controls laid down by this Regulation. The competent authorities approve establishments that comply with Community regulations concerning official controls on feedingstuffs and foodstuffs. The official controls include audits of good hygiene practices and HACCP principles, as well as specific controls whose requirements are determined by sector: fresh meat, bivalve molluscs, fishery products, milk and dairy products).

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Annex 4. List of relevant Israeli Laws and Regulations

Israeli Animal Disease Legislation1. Rabies Ordinance 19342. Rabies Regulations (Confinement of Dogs, Cats and Monkeys in Quarantine Kennels), 5719-

1959.This regulation deals with biting animals3. Rabies Regulations (Vaccination), 5765-20054. Rabies Regulations (Licensing and Vaccination), 5734-19745. Bee Protection Ordinance (New Version), 5743-19836. Animal Disease Ordinance (New Version), 5745-19857. Animal Disease Regulations (Veterinarian Tests for Wild Boar Meat), 5737-19778. Animal Disease Regulations (Prevention of Biological Residues), 5760-20009. Animal Disease Regulations (Elimination of Brucellosis in Sheep), 5749-198910. Animal Disease Regulations (Elimination of Cattle Tuberculosis), 5725-196411. Animal Disease Regulations (Brucellosis in Cattle), 5736-197612. Animal Disease Regulations (Dipping Pools and Spraying Units for Sheep), 5708-195913. Animal Disease Regulations (Poultry Slaughterhouses), 5708-196014. Animal Disease Regulations (Feeding of Animals), 5761-200115. Animal Disease Regulations (Artificial Insemination in Sheep), 5759-199816. Animal Disease Regulations (Import Arrangements for Beehive Products), 5742-198217. Animal Disease Regulations (Establishment and Operation of Poultry Cultivation,

Distribution, Breeding and Growing farms), 5741-198118. Animal Disease Regulations (Vaccination against different diseases), 5719-195919. Animal Disease Regulations (Import of Animals), 5734-197420. Animal Disease Regulations (meat Import), 5734-197421. Animal Disease Regulations (Import and Export of Animal Products), 5784-198822. Animal Disease Regulations (Hen Hatcheries), 5727-196723. Animal Disease Regulations (Newcastle Disease), 5730-197024. Animal Disease Regulations (Foot and Mouth Disease), 5720-195925. Animal Disease Regulations (Micoorganisms, Vaccines and Transmitters), 5735-197526. Animal Disease Regulations (Pens), 5719-195927. Animal Disease Regulations (Marking of Camels), 5722-196228. Animal Disease Regulations (Marking of Sheep), 5739-197829. Animal Disease Regulations (Wastage), 5741-198130. Animal Disease Regulations (Registration, Marking and Transportation of Cattle), 5736-

197631. Animal Disease Regulations (Chemical Preparations), 5742-198232. Animal Disease Regulations (Veterinary Certificate), 5735-197533. Animal Disease Regulations (Exhibitions), 5729-197934. Feed Ordinance35. Animal Disease Regulations (slaughter of Animals), 5724-196436. Animal Disease Regulations (Pavement of Compensation), 5766-2008

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Annex 5. Veterinary Services and Animal Health – Organisation chart

Minister of Agriculture

General Director

Director of Veterinary Services

Epidemiology Administration

Slaughterhouses (Ruminants, Pigs)

Horse DiseasesAnimal Products

Bee DiseasesImport-Export

Poultry DiseaseAnimal Welfare

Field Veterinary Services (Regions)

Kimron Veterinary Institute

Sheep and Goats Diseases

Acco

Rosh Pina

Hadera

Afula

Beer Sheva

Kannot

Virology

Bacteriology

Parasitology

Pathology

Poultry & Fish Diseases

Fish Disease

Reg. Lab. North

lab.NorthNorth

Reg. Lab. South

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Annex 6. Animal Diseases in Israel and in the Region

Status of Certain Transboundary Diseases in the Middle East in July 2009

Disease Israel Lebanon Palestinian Authority

Syrian Arab

Republic

Jordan Egypt

Foot and mouth disease

14 outbreaks of serotype A in 2009 (Previous outbreak of serotype O in 2008)

11 outbreaks in 2009

FMD serotype A “endemic” in 2009

Last outbreak in March 2002

Two outbreaks of serotype A in 2006

Two outbreaks of serotype A and 1 outbreak of serotype O in 2009

Lumpy skin disease

Seven outbreaks in June-November 2007

Not reported in 2008; no information on previous occurrence

Present in 2008

No outbreak reported 2008; history unknown

Never reported

15 outbreaks in 2006

Peste des petits ruminants

Two outbreaks in 2006

Suspected in 2008; last confirmed in 1997

Present in 2008

No outbreak reported 2008; history unknown

Last outbreak in Nov. 2000

Last outbreak in 1989

Avian influenza

Nine outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 in March 2006 and one outbreak in a caged backyard flock in 2008

LPAI H9N2 in 2005

HPAI H5N1 last confirmed in 1994

Outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 in March-April 2006

One outbreak of LPAI H9N2 in August 2005

No outbreak reported 2008; history unknown

One outbreak of HPAI H5N1 in March 2006

1086 outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 in 2006 with cases in humans. Disease still active in 2008

Sheep pox and goat pox

Nine outbreaks in 2005

Suspected in 2008; last confirmed in 2007

Present in 2006

No outbreak reported 2008; history unknown

Disease present in 2008

Last outbreak in May 1999

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Status of Certain Transboundary Diseases in the Middle East in July 2009

Disease Israel Lebanon Palestinian Authority

Syrian Arab

Republic

Jordan Egypt

Rinderpest Last outbreak in 1983

Last outbreak in 1982

No information available

No outbreak reported 2008; history unknown

Last outbreak in May 1972

Last outbreak in 1987

Bluetongue 10 outbreaks in late 2008

No outbreak in 2008; history unknown

No information available

No outbreak reported 2008; history unknown

No outbreak reported

Last outbreak in 1974

African horse sickness

Last outbreak in 1944

Last outbreak in 1960

Never reported

No outbreak reported 2008; history unknown

Last outbreak in 1962

Last outbreak in 1959

Caprine and ovine brucellosis

Disease present in 2009

Disease confirmed in 2008

Present in 2008

Disease present in 2008

Disease present in 2008

Disease present in 2008

Classical swine fever

One outbreak in Feb. 2009 (Previous outbreak in 1948)

No outbreak in 2008; history unknown

Never reported

No outbreak reported 2008; history unknown

No information available

Never reported

Newcastle disease

Two outbreaks in June 2009

Non-clinical outbreaks confirmed

Present in 2008

Last outbreak in 1999

Last outbreak in 2006

Last outbreak in 1996

Table 1 Status of Certain Transboundary Diseases in the Middle East in July 2009 (Source: Update, from OIE Reports to July 2009, of FAO IMPRES Watch Report of August 2006 on “Risks of transboundary animal disease outbreaks due to the conflict in Lebanon”)

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2005 2006 2007 2008Anthrax present presentBluetongue present presentB. melitensis present present present presentCaseous lymphadenitis present present presentEnzootic bovine leukosis present present present presentFoot and mouth disease present present present presentHPAI present presentIBR/IPV present present presentInfectious bursal disease present present present presentLumpy skin disease present presentMaedi-visna present present presentMalignant catarrhal fever present present present presentNewcastle disease present present present presentParatuberculosis present present present presentPeste des petits ruminants present presentQ fever present present present presentRabies present present present presentScrapie present presentSheep pox and goat pox present present present presentTrichinellosis present present present presentWest Nile Fever present present present

Table 2 Presence in Israel of significant animal diseases 2005 - 2008 (Source: OIE Reports)

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Disease Most recent occurrenceAfrican horse sickness 1944African swine fever neverAujeszky's disease neverBovine spongiform encephalopathy 2002Bovine tuberculosis 1999Brucellosis (Brucella abortus) 1984Contagious bov. pleuropneumonia 1941Equine infectious anaemia neverGlanders 1951Haemorrhagic septicaemia 1948Myxomatosis neverNipah virus encephalitis neverPorcine reproductive/respiratory syndrome neverRift Valley fever neverRinderpest 1983Swine vesicular disease neverVesicular stomatitis never

Table 3 Animal diseases that have never occurred in Israel or that were not confirmed in the country during the period 2005 – 2008 (Source: OIE Reports)

2005 2006 2007 2008Disease Cases Deaths Cases Deaths Cases Deaths Cases DeathsCampylobacteriosis 3273 3107 3511 4852Salmonellosis 1107 1480 1274 1475Leishmaniosis 438 190 43 177Brucellosis 135 131 173 136Q fever 96 13West Nile Fever 48 2 115 5 113Listeriosis 22 34 56 35Escherichia coli O157

31 13 2 5

New variant CJD 6 ?Leptospirosis 4Botulism 1

Table 4 Cases of zoonotic disease in the human population in Israel in the period 2005 – 2008 (Source: OIE Reports)

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