EU Parliament Rubber-Stamps Laws on Transmissible Animal Diseases

09 Mar 2016 --- The European parliament has rubber-stamped new rules to help prevent outbreaks of animal diseases such as avian flu and foot and mouth disease. The rules were originally backed by MEPs and the EU Council of Ministers in June 2015.

The European Parliament said the new draft EU rules on diseases that are transmissible among animals, and potentially to humans, will help professionals keep pace with scientific progress.

“The adaption of the Animal Health Law is a great victory. The law makes three things possible. First, it links animal health and welfare and connects it to human health. This direct link, together with emphasis on responsible use of antibiotics, will help us find growing antimicrobial resistance.”

“Second, it enabled the authorities and producers to focus more closely on prevention and control of transmissible animal diseases. And third, it merges around 40 legal acts into one basic act,” said rapporteur Jasenko Selimovic.

The new rules mean that all farmers, animal owners and traders, will be obliged to apply the principles of “good animal husbandry and prudent use of veterinary medicines”.

Vets will now have to raise awareness of the interaction between animal health and welfare and human health and of antimicrobial resistance.

As part of the changes, the EU Commission has voted to monitor the use of animal antibiotics in member states and frequently publish comparable data.

The rules will also “empower” the EU Commission to take urgent action to tackle emerging diseases that could have a “highly significant impact” on public health and agricultural production.

MEPs also ensured that European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) experts will be sounded out when updating the EU list of potentially dangerous diseases and that farmers’ organisations, veterinary associations, animal welfare movement and others will be involved in drafting contingency plans.

The rules can now be published in the EU Official Journal and will then come into force 20 days later.