Procedure for the monitoring, control and eradication of caprine arthritis-encephalitis

Draft Cabinet Regulation on the procedure for the monitoring, control and eradication of caprine arthritis-encepha

The draft Cabinet Regulation lays down the procedures for monitoring, control and eradication of caprine arthritisencephalitis (CAE) in Latvia. It creates a unified and manageable system to limit the spread of the disease and ensure animal health protection.

The requirements laid down in the draft will only apply to owners and keepers of caprine animals who wish to obtain and maintain the health status of their holding (M1, M2, or M3) in the future. The rules are not mandatory for everyone – they are voluntary, but necessary for the farm to be recognised as disease-free or cleared.

The draft defines:
• the procedure for assigning and maintaining the status of a holding (MP, M1, M2, M3);
• requirements for laboratory examination in the core herd and introduced animals;
• conditions for the use of the reproduction products;
• rules for the movement of animals between holdings and to events;
• the course of action in the event of suspected or confirmed disease;
• the responsibilities of the Latvian Rural Support Service and the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service in managing the status;
• transitional conditions for the period 2026-2027 allowing the status to be obtained under simplified requirements.

The regulation will contribute to the eradication of the disease, increase the transparency of the health of the holdings and support the competitiveness of the goat farming sector, while maintaining the principle that participation in the programme is voluntary and subject to the initiative of the animal holders themselves