Regulation of Minister of Rural Affairs no. 62 of 2021 on Requirements for the organization of zoonoses monitoring

The Regulation, based on the provisions of article 62 (4) of the Veterinary Act, lays down the general requirements for the organization of zoonoses monitoring. The Agriculture and Food Board collects data for the monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic pathogens, which are necessary for determining and characterising the dangers related to zoonoses and zoonotic pathogens, assessing risks and characterising the risks associated with zoonoses and zoonotic pathogens. The Agriculture and Food Board organises the monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic disease agents at the stage of the food chain that is most relevant for the relevant zoonosis or zoonotic disease agent. The stages of the food chain are all stages of feed and food handling, from primary production to distribution to the final consumer. Zoonoses and zoonotic pathogens listed in Annex 1 are monitored. The Agriculture and Food Board may also organise monitoring of the zoonoses and zoonotic pathogens listed in Appendix 2, if the epidemiological situation requires it. When monitoring drug resistance, the Agriculture and Food Board collects data on the occurrence of drug resistance in the case of zoonotic pathogens and, if the pathogens pose a threat to human health, also in the case of other pathogens. The Agriculture and Food Board organises drug resistance monitoring in accordance with European Union law, and during drug resistance monitoring at least the following data is collected: (1) data on the animal species that are monitored; (2) data on the bacterial species and strains that are monitored; (3) data on the sampling strategy used in monitoring; (4) data on the antimicrobials that are monitored; (5) data on laboratory methods used to detect drug resistance; (6) data on methods used to identify laboratory microbial isolates; (7) data on the methods used for data collection. The data collected during drug resistance monitoring must contain at least data on a select group of Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates present in cattle, pigs and poultry and in animal products derived from them.