Animal health policy for today's reality, the central role for vaccines
Transboundary and emerging animal diseases have been increasing in occurrence over the past decades. Diseases which were once only reported outside of Europe’s borders are now more frequently occurring on European soil, and not solely in the continent’s southern climes.
But why are there more and more animal disease outbreaks in Europe? Should the EU promote large-scale vaccination? And how can the EU support farmers with managing the decision to vaccinate or to cull? These were just some of the questions discussed during the event in the European Parliament today, hosted by MEPs Sargiacomo, Cassart, and Kohler.
Panellists from the veterinary, farming, and animal health sectors debated current EU animal health policies together with representatives from the European Commission, EU agencies (EMA and EFSA), and the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Opening the event, MEP Eric Sargiacomo a native of one of France’s regions severely impacted by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), said:
“Faced with this resurgence of animal diseases, it is clear that Europe needs an updated and efficient animal health strategy, in which vaccination must play a central role. Prevention is better than cure, and even better than culling animals! Preventive measures not only cost less for the taxpayer, but they support more sustainable agriculture.”
Belgian cattle breeder MEP Benoit Cassart added:
“Vector-borne diseases such as BTV-3 have a very negative impact on European livestock farming. We must move from the current crisis management approach to a culture of prevention. We need more harmonisation in animal health rules, more coordinated research, and more investment in the purchasing and distribution of vaccines, as well as increased simplification in the procedures for the movement of animals in the common market.”
Agricultural engineer and farmer, German MEP Stefan Kohler concluded:
“Europe’s agricultural sector needs pragmatic solutions sooner rather than later. Animal disease outbreaks are yet another adversity added to farmers’ already long list of challenges that they face with increasing regularity. The recent outbreaks of ASF and FMD in Germany and the ensuing need for emergency measures, highlight the need for updated preparedness policies.”
Speaking at the event, AnimalhealthEurope Secretary General Roxane Feller said:
“Keeping animals healthy and avoiding mass culls of animals should be top priorities for EU decision-makers. Animal diseases, particularly vector-borne diseases, and those with high rates of morbidity or mortality, can have dire consequences in a first instance for the animals, but also for sustainable food production, on the socio-economic future of Europe’s farming communities, on antibiotic use, on farmers’ mental health, and on public health. Establishing a mechanism for regular exchanges between the animal health industry and the authorities can only serve to enhance Europe’s health emergency preparedness and response.”
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