DATE=2/10/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245346
TITLE=IRAQ / ANIMAL DISEASES  (L ONLY)
BYLINE=SABINA CASTELFRANCO
DATELINE=ROME
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-N'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION  (F-A-O)  HAS
EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT AN OUTBREAK OF ANIMAL DISEASES IN IRAQ 
COULD SPREAD INTO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.  SABINA CASTELFRANCO IN 
ROME REPORTS F-A-O OFFICIALS SAY SUCH A SITUATION COULD POSE A 
SERIOUS RISK TO FOOD SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

TEXT:  U-N OFFICIALS SAY 15-THOUSAND LAMBS HAVE DIED IN RECENT 
MONTHS BECAUSE OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE IN IRAQ.  THEY SAY THAT 
IS JUST ONE OF MANY ANIMAL DISEASES AGGRAVATING THE COUNTRY'S 
ALREADY DESPERATE FOOD SITUATION. 

THE HEAD OF F-A-O'S ANIMAL HEALTH SERVICE, YVES CHENEAU, SAYS THE
U-N AGENCY BELIEVES PROMPT ACTION IS NEEDED TO PREVENT THE 
PROBLEM FROM SPREADING. 

                    ///  CHENEAU ACT ONE  ///

         THERE IS A REAL FOOD SECURITY PROBLEM.  THE LOSSES 
         ACTUALLY BECAUSE OF ANIMAL DISEASES ARE EXTREMELY 
         IMPORTANT IN THIS COUNTRY.  WE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE OF 
         THE TRANSBOUNDARY NATURE OF THE ISSUE.  FOOT-AND-MOUTH 
         DISEASE, BUT OTHERS TOO, ARE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS AND ARE 
         SPREADING TO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. 

                        ///  END ACT  ///

MR. CHENEAU SAYS THE GULF WAR AND SUBSEQUENT SANCTIONS HAVE HAD A
DEVASTATING EFFECT ON IRAQ'S VETERINARY INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IN 
THE PAST WAS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE BEST IN THE REGION.  HE SAYS 
THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT IS NOW  NOT  ABLE TO MONITOR AND CONTROL THE
DISEASES.  BUT IF THE SANCTIONS WERE ENDED, HE SAYS, VACCINES 
COULD BE SUPPLIED.

                    ///  CHENEAU ACT TWO  ///

         IT IS QUITE SURE THAT IF THERE IS NO LIFT OF THE BAN, OF
         THE SANCTIONS, I DON'T SEE, I DON'T FORESEE HOW IT CAN 
         BE IMPROVED AND WHAT I CAN BE SURE IS THAT IT WILL 
         DETERIORATE AGAIN. 

                        ///  END ACT  ///

THE U-N'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION HAS TOLD NATIONS IN 
THE REGION TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND PREPARE CONTINGENCY
PLANS -- IF THE DISEASES SHOULD SPREAD FROM IRAQ INTO THEIR 
COUNTRIES.  (SIGNED)

NEB/SC/JWH

10-Feb-99 5:45 AM EST (1045 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.