Europe strengthens regional cooperation against PPR and Sheep and Goat Pox through the Second GF-TADs Standing Group of Experts

The Second Meeting of the GF-TADs Standing Group of Experts (SGE) on Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Sheep and Goat Pox (SGP) for the Europe Region was successfully held online on 29 June 2026, bringing together over 60 participants, including Chief Veterinary Officers, national experts, representatives of international organisations, Reference Laboratories, the European Commission, and regional partners.

Organised under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), the meeting provided an important platform for reviewing the rapidly evolving epidemiological situation of PPR and Sheep and Goat Pox in Europe, sharing scientific knowledge and country experiences, and strengthening coordinated regional preparedness and response.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Dr Bernard Van Goethem, President of the GF-TADs Europe Steering Committee, and Dr Mereke Taitubayev, WOAH Sub-Regional Representation for Central Asia.

Growing regional concern

Opening the meeting, Dr. Taitubayev highlighted that the continued spread of PPR and Sheep and Goat Pox demonstrated that Europe remains vulnerable to these transboundary animal diseases. He stressed that protecting small ruminant populations is essential not only for livestock production and rural livelihoods but also for food security, trade, and resilient Veterinary Services. He emphasized that the Standing Group of Experts provides an essential platform for scientific exchange, coordinated preparedness, and strengthened regional collaboration.

Dr. Bernard Van Goethem recalled that the SGE was established following the first GF-TADs Europe Conference and noted that both diseases have become significant emerging threats across the region. He underlined the importance of sharing experiences and coordinating regional actions to prevent further spread and ultimately eradicate both diseases.

 Countries share their experiences

Representatives from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, North Macedonia and Romania presented updates on their national epidemiological situations, surveillance activities, outbreak investigations and control measures. Participants discussed the challenges associated with disease detection, movement control, tracing of infection sources, implementation of stamping-out measures, and communication with livestock owners.

The presentations highlighted that although Veterinary Services have responded rapidly to outbreaks, epidemiological investigations remain challenging, with the origin of several recent incursions still under investigation. The exchange of practical experiences provided valuable lessons for countries at risk of disease introduction.

Scientific updates and international support

Technical presentations from EuFMD, the WOAH Reference Laboratory for Sheep and Goat Pox and EURL for Capripox viruses (Sciensano, Belgium), FAO, WOAH Headquarters, and DG SANTE provided participants with the latest scientific and technical information on disease epidemiology, circulating virus strains, laboratory diagnostics, animal movement control, biosecurity, surveillance, and emergency preparedness.

DG SANTE presented the current epidemiological situation within the European Union, highlighting the reoccurrence  of outbreaks in certain Member States in the Region and the implementation of EU safeguard measures, movement restrictions, surveillance activities and emergency preparedness. Participants were also informed about the support available through the European Commission, including scientific advice, laboratory cooperation and access to EU antigen and vaccine banks should emergency vaccination become necessary.

WOAH and FAO presented ongoing regional activities supporting Member Countries, including technical assistance, preparedness training, laboratory strengthening, simulation exercises and support for countries pursuing official PPR-free status.

 Strengthening regional preparedness

 Following extensive discussions, participants agreed that the current epidemiological situation requires sustained regional cooperation, transparent information sharing and coordinated implementation of international standards. They adopted a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening early detection, surveillance, laboratory capacity, epidemiological investigations, animal movement controls, biosecurity, contingency planning, awareness raising and regional collaboration. Participants also reaffirmed the importance of transparent and timely reporting through WOAH WAHIS and continued support for countries pursuing official PPR-free status.  A vaccination strategy was also discussed as a possible approach to the control and eradication of these diseases.

Among the key outcomes of the meeting was the agreement to maintain the Standing Group of Experts as the regional coordination platform under GF-TADs Europe and to continue organising regular meetings to monitor the evolving epidemiological situation and support implementation of the agreed recommendations.

 Looking ahead

In his closing remarks, Dr. Bernard Van Goethem thanked all participants for their active engagement and emphasized that the presentations clearly demonstrated the need for even stronger regional cooperation to prevent further spread of both diseases. He noted that illegal animal movements remain one of the major drivers of disease transmission and called for continued collaboration among Veterinary Services, laboratories and international partners.

Participants were informed that the draft recommendations would be circulated for comments before finalisation. The WOAH Reference Laboratories will present additional scientific updates during the Regional Commission for Europe Conference in Riga in September 2026, while the Second GF-TADs Europe Conference is planned for January 2027, where the next meeting of the Standing Group of Experts on PPR and Sheep and Goat Pox is expected to take place.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of WOAH, FAO, the European Commission, EU and WOAH Reference Laboratories and Member Countries to work together to strengthen preparedness, improve early detection and surveillance, and support the progressive control and eventual eradication of PPR and Sheep and Goat Pox across the European region.