AnimalhealthEurope is pleased to see the important role of animal heath recognised in the outcome report from the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture.

It is also positive to note that all stakeholders involved in drafting the report recognise that ‘animal farming in the EU meets consumer expectations, as well as climate and environmental objectives’. Mentions of animals being reared according to high animal welfare standards, and the need for antibiotic use being reduced, show that the progress made by the entire animal agriculture value chain has not gone unnoticed.

AnimalhealthEurope Secretary General Roxane Feller commented:

“As a sector which has been long invested in raising awareness on the importance of taking a holistic approach to ensuring sustainable animal agriculture in Europe, we can only welcome the inclusion of the need to take a One Health approach that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

We also firmly believe that progress cannot be achieved by one single actor alone. The confirmation that ‘breeders, medicine providers, farmers, transporters, slaughterhouses, veterinarians, processors, retailers, consumers, NGOs, scientists, etc.’ all have an important role to play must be upheld throughout the transition processes to ensure a positive future for EU agriculture.”

Hand-in-hand with harmonised rules based on science with appropriate transition periods, the right tools, including innovative animal health technologies and knowledge on how best to use those tools will serve to ensure ever-more sustainable farming practices.

-ENDS –