Objective

This presentation describes measures taken to prevent paratuberculosis from entering into and spreading in Sweden.

Materials and Methods

Sweden has a favourable situation with a very low prevalence of paratuberculosis. Therefore, when Sweden joined the EU in 1995 the Ministry of Agriculture applied for additional guarantees regarding paratuberculosis. While this application is under consideration the Swedish Board of Agriculture (SBA) has decided that all imported animals must be tested in quarantine for paratuberculosis. A control programme in beef herds, financed by the SBA, has been in place since 1998. This programme prohibits purchase of animals from non-tested herds. A voluntary import control, the Swedish Farmers' Disease Control Programme, which is run by the Swedish Animal Health Service, advises farmers to import semen or embryos instead of live animals and recommends that imported animals come from tested herds. In addition, a policy in the dairy industry prohibits purchase of imported animals to dairy herds.

Results

The import of live animals to Sweden is low. Between 1995 and 2004, 278 animals were imported, the majority being pedigree beef animals. Since 1998 there has been no import of dairy cows. All imported animals have been tested with negative results by faecal culture as well as serology, and in most cases serological testing has also been performed in the exporting herd. The import of semen has steadily increased since 1995, from approximately 130 000 to 215 000 doses/year. The majority of semen donors have been tested serologically. Swedens low prevalence of paratuberculosis has been maintained during the period described.

Conclusions

Import of live animals constitutes a high risk of introducing paratuberculosis. Regulations of the authorities (SBA) together with measures initiated by a voluntary import control run by the Swedish Animal Health Service have successfully limited the numbers and thereby minimized the risks.