Second-phase talks begin on EU animal health strategy

Agra Europe Weekly, Friday January 27 2006

The European Commission this week launched the second phase of a two-part consultation process to gauge opinion for its forthcoming EU Animal Health Strategy.

The DG responsible for health and consumer protection (DG SANCO) and a team of external analysts, led by agri-food policy specialists Agra CEAS Consulting, have compiled a questionnaire which will be sent to stakeholders in third countries for feedback on how to improve the prevention and control of animal diseases in Europe.

The questionnaire forms part of an ongoing animal health `roadmap', and a similar exercise for the 25 EU member states was launched two weeks ago.

Responses to both phases must reach the Commission before the end of February.

The external evaluation will involve all interested parties from politicians, consumers and retailers to traders, slaughterhouses and anyone linked to animal health at EU or national level.

The new strategy, known as the Community Animal Health Policy (CAHP) and due to cover the period 2007-2013, was announced by EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou in December 2004.

The strategy is made up of four core elements:

• developing existing policies on disease prevention
• boosting the role of emergency vaccinations
• simplifying often complicated rules
• making more efficient use of available funds.

Firming up EU animal health policy has been a particular priority in recent months following the growing incidences of avian flu at Europe's borders.

Aside from the financial consequences of the outbreak, ethical issues relating to mass slaughter and the potential human health issues have all stoked the fires of concern.

The Commission ultimately wants to use feedback from the consultation to launch an Action Plan, similar to the Animal Welfare Action Plan.

External evaluations will continue until July 2006 before a presentation to interested parties in November and the publication of a proposal shortly afterwards.

For more information please contact Conrad Caspari (Wye) or Maria Christodoulou (Brussels).

email : info@ceasc.com
Tel: UK +44(0)1233 812181 or Brussels +32(0)2 736 00 88