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FVE General Assembly

Agenda point 10:

EU Community Animal Health Strategy

Brussels, 16 November 2007

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The EU Commission developed

A new Animal Health Strategy for the EU(2007 – 2013)

Where “Prevention is better than cure”

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4 Overarching Goals

1. High level of public health and food safety

2. Prevent/reduce key animal diseases support farming and rural economy

3. Improve econ growth /cohesion / competitiveness

4. Promote farming practices and animal welfare which prevent animal health related threats and minimise environmental impact.

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4 pillars Action Plan

1. Prioritisation of EU intervention

2. Legislative framework

3. Prevention, surveillance and preparedness

4. Science, Innovation, Research

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FVE’s opinion• recognizes the role the Commission has played

sofar in respect of the Animal Health and Welfare and Public Health

• welcomes the initiative to shift from a series of policy actions to identifying long term goals and defining a strategy.

• is pleased to see that the Strategy recognises the strong relations between Animal Health, Public Health and Animal Welfare.

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• emphasis the role veterinarians play in the prevention and control of zoonosis and food borne infections

• sees the need for a strong co-operation between veterinarians and medical doctors

• welcome the development of one general, horizontal

«  Animal Health Law »• Establishing general principles

• Defining the role and responsibilities

(incl clear mandate of the veterinary profession)

• promoting efficient organisational arrangements

• without duplicating or contradictory provisions

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• Fully support «  prevention is better than cure »

• adequately staffed and funded Veterinary Services and border controls • on farm bio-security must be improved

• long term farm health manangement programmes including regular consultations with a vet practitioner who knows the farm

• efficient early reporting systems

• need for adequate identification and registration of animals, food producing animals as well as companion animals

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• Concerned about the structure of large parts of

the EU animal production,

• Too much focus on un-sustainable « large-volume-low-cost » production methods

• In order to remain competible Europe should invest

more in the development of other qualities such as Animal Welfare

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• Use of vaccines as a valuable tool in a disease

prevention and control strategies must be re-evaluated

• Development of reliable vaccines and diagnostics is necessary

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Concerned about (long-distance) transport of live animals and markets and gathering places in the spread of infections

Fattening near the place of birth Slaughter near the place of production

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FVE wishes to be actively involved in the

further development and implementation of the Animal Health Strategy.

FVE will use the expertise and knowledge of its membership to participate in a critical but constructive way in the work of the Advisory Group

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Thank you for your attention !

http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/strategy/index_en.htm

Further comments and suggestions

are welcome!