Activites

• 2006/01/14 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Directive 2005/94
  • OJ L 010 14.01.2006, p. 0016-0065
• #2702
• 2005/12/20 Council Meeting
• 2005/12/20 End of procedure in Parliament
• 2005/12/20 Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
• #2699
• 2005/12/08 Council Meeting
  • 2699 summary

    The Council held a debate focusing on the need for clear and evidence-based information to the public and for steps to be taken both at national and at EU level to prepare for a possible outbreak of human pandemic influenza.The debate covered the following issues:- sharing of information and coordination (e.g. between Member States, the Commission, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and with the World Health Organisation) about the communication to the public about pandemic influenza;- specific contribution that Member States envisage that EU action, especially the research and development programmes, could make to prepare for a pandemic;- other specific actions at EU level that Member States believe would add value to work already in hand (for example through the World Health Organisation) to improve both production capacity and speed of access to antivirals and vaccines.In its conclusions, the Council insisted on the need to distinguish between avian influenza, where the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stressed that the risk is very low for the general human population; seasonal influenza which occurs every year but for which annual vaccination is available; and the risk of human pandemic influenza.The Council states that scientific advice remains that the risk of avian influenza being directly transmitted to humans from birds is still very low at the present time. A vital first step in protecting human health from risk of pandemic is for Member States to complete their national plans in accordance with WHO guidelines. National plans also provide the foundation for international cooperation at a global and EU level. It also recognises the important role of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in providing scientific advice to the European Commission and to Member States. It highlights the importance of strengthening coordination between Member States and the European Commission on a range of issues using, where possible, existing coordination Mechanisms.  There is a need for clear and objective communications with the public to reduce the likelihood of confusing messages to the citizens of Europe. The Council agrees that the need to build up production capacity for antivirals that will be required to maximise protection of populations is an urgent priority. It notes that this is primarily a matter for Member States but that there could be further action at EU level to help to address this and that there should be further consideration of the available options for dealing with an outbreak including the feasibility and added value of the EU holding a targeted strategic stockpile of antivirals.The Council also notes the importance of building up production capacity for vaccines and notes the importance of increasing the research effort into the development of new vaccines, in support of which the European R&D Framework programmes can play a valuable role.The Council calls upon the Commission to :1) come forward with its proposals for rapid implementation of the Community aspects of the International Health Regulations as soon as possible;2) strengthen the existing coordination mechanisms between Member States and the European Commission in close collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in ways that allow Member States to share information about proposed responses and to consider how to avoid giving confusing messages to the general public; and3) consider proposals on further practical action that would add value at EU level to action at national level and in international organisations, especially the WHO.The Member States are called upon to :1) ensure that national planning is stepped up and completed;2) to share with each other, and with the European Commission, information about the messages being given to the public about pandemic influenza and about action to protect human health from the risks of pandemic influenza; and3) take action to implement the International Health Regulations as quickly as possible.

• 2005/12/01 Results of vote in Parliament
  • Results of vote in Parliament
  • T6-0455/2005 summary

    The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Neil PARISH (EPP-ED, UK) making several amendments to the Commission’s proposal. (Please see the summary of 14/11/2002.) The resolution called for tougher measures to control bird flu, improved early warning systems, the development of low-cost vaccines for poultry and a coordinated emergency plan in the event of human contamination. The main amendments were as follows: -The Commission must provide the European Centre for disease prevention and control with information on implementation of the annual surveillance programmes. It must also provide the Centre with summary data on the submission of the reports and notifications referred to in Annex II. Parliament went on to adopt a series of amendments providing for closer cooperation with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.-Member States must provide for the immediate reporting of any cases of suspected or actual infected birds whatever the nature or pathogenicity of the virus that has caused them .-No eggs at all may leave the holding. Parliament deleted the relevant clauses enabling authorisation to be given for eggs to be sent directly to a processing plant for thermal treatment. Following on from these amendments, it also deleted Annex III which dealt with such authorisation. They did, however, introduce new clauses allowing eggs from holdings within protection or surveillance zones established in cases of outbreaks of HPAI, or within restricted zones established in cases of outbreaks of LPAI, to be sent directly to a processing plant. -A new clause states that, immediately following an outbreak of HPAI in a poultry holding other than a commercial poultry holding, the competent authority may establish a protection zone and a surveillance zone, on the basis of a risk assessment and taking account of at least the criteria set out in Annex V.-Density of poultry is an important factor which should be taken into account when establishing protection and surveillance zones in the event of HPAI outbreaks and when taking measures to deal with LPAI outbreaks.-If the outbreak of HPAI is confined in a non-commercial holding/pet bird holding, circus, zoo, pet bird shop or wildlife park, or in a fenced area where other birds are kept for scientific purposes or purposes related to the conservation of endangered species, the competent authority may, following a veterinary risk assessment, derogate to the extent necessary from the provisions concerning the establishment of the protection and surveillance zone, provided that such derogations do not jeopardise disease control.-Parliament introduced a new Chapter Va on measures to be applied in cases of serological detection of LPAI or HPAI which cannot be confirmed through virus isolation or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Appropriate measures must be taken, based on risk assessment, and the Commission must be informed. Prior provision must be made for emergency plans in the event of human contamination. Such emergency plans shall seek to: secure the necessary coordination between Member States; avoid panic among the general public; combat any trafficking that may arise should serious risks actually emerge; determine the areas to be isolated as a priority; identify the population groups to be vaccinated as a priority, and ensure fair and universal distribution of anti-epidemic products.-In the event of an outbreak of an influenza pandemic in the EU or in neighbouring countries, the Commission must be able to take crisis measures within 24 hours, such as quarantine and disinfection measures at airports in connection with flights from certain regions and travel restrictions.-A new clause further states the Commission shall take steps to help ensure that sufficient antivirals and vaccines are available for those exposed to the virus in the event of an outbreak in one or more Member States.-Member States and the Commission shall see to it that, in the event of a pandemic, the available antivirals and vaccines are effectively distributed among the Member States and countries neighbouring the EU. -There are new provisions on preventive measures for poultry cullers, and there must be proper risk communication to farmers, workers in the poultry sector and the public;-Member States must ensure the availability of an emergency stock of antivirals so that prophylactic protection in the case of a pandemic can be extended rapidly to all persons most at risk of exposure within the EU. They must also ensure sufficient vaccine production capacity to ensure that all persons most at risk of exposure in the event of a pandemic can be pre-emptively vaccinated against the strain in question, if necessary by increasing uptake of the seasonal human influenza vaccine.-The Commission must draw up Community-wide pandemic preparedness plans for the distribution of vaccines and antivirals between Member States in the case of a pandemic, in accordance with the prescribed procedure. Those plans shall be made public within one year of the adoption of the Directive.-Member States with birds of high conservation, genetic or scientific value shall have authority to acquire and use preventative vaccines with permission of the Committee and without reference to the Commission.-A new clause is introduced for specific protective vaccination plans for zoo animals and officially registered rare breeds of poultry or other birds, in order to prevent unnecessary killing of such animals. Such vaccinated animals may be subject to specific restrictions on movement.-Supermarkets and other undertakings shall be prohibited from advertising and/or labelling meat on the basis of the avian influenza vaccination characteristics of the animals from which the meat originates.-Where it is in the interest of the Community, the Commission may supply vaccines to third countries, and shall number among its responsibilities the provision of assistance by all available means, where possible in cooperation with international organisations, to third countries which are unable or insufficiently able to combat an outbreak of avian influenza effectively-An action plan shall be drawn up specifically for European institutions in the event that travel restrictions prevent international meetings, such as those of the Council and European Parliament, from taking place.-In addition to the contingency plans, Member States must draw up effective human pandemic preparedness plans, to include rules for the production, stocking and distribution of antivirals to the persons most at risk, the coordination of efforts for the development and mass production of vaccines as well as provisions for mandatory real-time alert exercises, including cross-border cooperation in crisis management, for instance systematic virological screening of air filters from aircraft. The national preparedness plans, the results of real-time simulations and the updates of the plans following real-time simulation must be communicated to the Commission and made public within six months following the adoption of the Directive.-The competent authority must carry out a socio-economic impact assessment of the consequences of the contingency plan for the wider rural economy.-A new clause is introduced on liaison with the OIE.

• 2005/11/30 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2005/11/21 Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
  • A6-0327/2005
• 2005/11/14 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
• #2685
• 2005/10/24 Council Meeting
  • 2685 summary

    The Council took note of the information provided by the Commission and the remarks from several delegations on the situation regarding avian influenza.Commissioner Kyprianou stressed that avian influenza had spread in Europe, including Russia, Romania and Turkey, that suspicions were rising in Croatia and that a suspicious case was currently under examination in Greece. Indicating that this disease was mostly spread by migrant birds, he insisted on the need to tackle this issue rapidly in order to avoid any possible risks. He also announced the presentation by the Commission in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) of a temporary ban on imports of captive birds and pet birds. He reiterated his reluctance to consider vaccination as a tool to combat the outbreak.Several delegations welcomed the swift reaction of the Commission and stressed the need for each Member State to take immediate action at the source of the problem and to improve communication in order to avoid large-scale panic reactions from consumers. Some of these delegations indicated that consumption of poultry had sharply declined in their countries.In the follow-up to the information provided on avian influenza, France, supported by Italy and Hungary, submitted a document stressing the need to take into account the economic implications of avian influenza. These delegations asked in particular that all possible tools be used, including the existing export refunds in the Common Market Organisation for poultry, in order to alleviate the economic impact of the avian flu outbreak on poultry producers.Commissioner Fischer-Boel acknowledged the influence of the media on the decreasing consumption of poultry. She emphasised the use of export refunds as the main market instrument, and stressed that the market would be closely monitored. She also indicated that, should the situation develop into a massive outbreak of avian influenza, co-financing of expenditures was possible and financial compensation for producers' inability to deliver poultry was provided for, under Article 14 of Regulation (EEC) No 2777/75 on the CMO for poultry meat.The Presidency intends to return to the issue at one of its forthcoming meetings in particular in the light of the discussions within the Council preparatory bodies on the Commission proposal for a Council Directive on Community measures for the control of avian influenza. It recalls its intention to reach an agreement on the Commission proposal as soon as the European Parliament delivers its opinion (in December).

• #2677
• 2005/09/19 Council Meeting
  • 2677
• 2005/06/22 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• #2669
• 2005/06/20 Council Meeting
  • 2669 summary

    The Council took note of the technical progress made during Luxembourg's Presidency and noted that the future United Kingdom Presidency intended to press ahead with work so that a decision could be taken on the proposals for a Directive and Decision on Community measures to combat avian influenza, submitted at the beginning of May 2005, as soon as the European Parliament's opinion was received.The Polish delegation stressed the possible danger, in its view, of mutation of the low-pathogenic virus into a highly pathogenic virus and called for an appropriate level of financing.

• 2005/04/28 Legislative proposal published
  • COM(2005)0171 summary

    PURPOSE: to update current Community measures on Avian Influenza (AI), with the objective of achieving better prevention and control of outbreaks and to reduce the health risks, the costs and losses and the negative impact to the whole of society due to this disease.PROPOSED ACT: Council DirectiveCONTENT:  AI is a serious, highly contagious disease of poultry and other birds caused by different types of viruses included in the very large virus family called Influenzaviridae. AI viruses may also spread to other animals and humans, usually following direct contact with infected birds.  Based on consultations with interested parties, the Commission proposes the introduction of the following main changes to current provisions on AI control:- Change in the definition of AI to extend the scope of the control measures also to those LPAI (low pathogenic AI) viruses which could potentially mutate into HPAI (high pathogenic AI) viruses, however it would make a distinction between the two conditions so that specific control measures can then be applied in relation to the different risks posed by these viruses.- Introduction of compulsory surveillance for LPAI in all MSs.- New and more flexible provisions on vaccination.- New and flexible provisions for the control of LPAI and HPAI in domestic birds other than poultry, such as those kept in zoos or endangered species.- New provisions to ensure co-operation between MSs veterinary and public health authorities in case of detection of AI, with the view of protecting human health.- Attribution to the Commission, through Comitology procedures, to adopt further and more specific AI control measures and to establish an AI vaccine bank.It is proposed to make these changes in Community legislation on AI control in parallel with amendments to Council Decision 90/424/EEC on Community expenditure in the veterinary field, to bring it in line with this proposal and ensure adequate financial support to the Member States (MSs) in relation to some of the newly envisaged control measures (see CNS/2005/0063).FINANCIAL IMPACT: Budget lines: 17 01: Administrative expenditure of health and consumer protection policy area; 17 04 02: Other measures in the veterinary, animal welfare and public-health field; and 17 04 03: Emergency fund for veterinary complaints and other animal contaminations which are a risk to public health.Total allocation for action: EUR 18.810 million for commitments over six years (EUR 3.135 million per year from 2006), broken down as follows:- Objective 1 (emergency fund eradication of the disease): impossible to predict with precision.- Objective 2 (surveillance): EUR 9 million.- Objective 3 (establishment of a vaccine bank): EUR 9 million.- Objective 4 (establishment of a Community Reference Laboratory for avian influenza): EUR 0.810 million.Impact on human resources: EUR 1,170,000 (EUR 0.195 per year from 2006).Total cost of measures: EUR 19.980 million (EUR 3.33 million per year from 2006).BUDGETARY IMPACT: the additional annual costs for the Community budget of the adoption and implementation of the planned measures is between EUR 3 and 6 million, thus an average of EUR 5.5 million.  These costs will be largely recouped by the savings generated from the reduction in the risk of HPAI epidemics breaking out.  If they take as a point of reference the two recent epidemics in the EU, it can be estimated that in terms of costs, the prevention of two epidemics would save EUR 100 million or more of the Community budget over a period of ten years.  This saving would be considerably higher than the additional costs planned for the new LPAI surveillance measures and the fight against this disease (around EUR 55 million over ten years).

  • DG [{'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/index_en.htm', 'title': 'Health and Consumers'}],

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(2005)0171
• Debate in Council: 2669
• Debate in Council: 2677
• Debate in Council: 2685
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A6-0327/2005
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T6-0455/2005
• Debate in Council: 2699
• : Directive 2005/94
• : OJ L 010 14.01.2006, p. 0016-0065

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)