Animal product output in China has quadrupled in twenty years, and livestock farms have become much more intensified. In particular, the country is known for producing pigs - half of the pigs worldwide - and poultry. All the signs are that this dynamic is set to continue on a regional and international scale, notably in Southeast Asia, as a result of population growth, urbanization and strong economic growth leading to high animal product consumption.

A consortium led by the FAO

These trends are not without consequence, particularly as regards the potential for the emergence and spread of new pathogens, across borders, between animals and from animals to man. Only recently, a new avian influenza A virus strain (H7N9) appeared in China.

To control the emergence and spread of diseases more effectively, Europe and China recently launched LinkTADs, a consortium led by the FAO and intended to coordinate European and Chinese research projects in the field of animal and zoonotic diseases.

Epidemiology and diagnostic techniques

The aim is to foster coordination, which is essential, of the work being done by Chinese and European research teams in two particularly critical fields: epidemiology and the diagnostic techniques used in laboratories.

The "epidemiology" component is coordinated by CIRAD. In particular, it includes the development of endemic, emerging and exotic disease surveillance programmes, both on farms and in wild animals, based on the most advanced epidemiology tools, including risk modelling, and control methods that satisfy even the strictest international standards.

In terms of diagnostic capacity, LinkTADs will be inventorying the tests available and in use in Europe and China, both conventional and advanced, and common research requirements in Europe and China.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and African swine fever

Some ten diseases are to be screened. They are headed by highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, along with African swine fever (ASF). The recent emergence of ASF in Russia has prompted fears of its arrival in Europe in the near future and subsequently in China, where the economic consequences could be catastrophic. The fight against ASF clearly illustrates the need for collaboration and coordination between Europe and China. For instance, LinkTADs will enable researchers to make contact with their peers and publish their results obtained within the framework of other projects, such as the ASFORCE project, which is specifically targeting ASF.

LinkTADs will associate researchers from five Chinese institutions with others from French, British, Hungarian, Portuguese and Swedish organizations. It was officially launched at the end of 2013, to run for three years.