€193 million to fight animal diseases in 2007

Each year the Commission approves programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases, for the control of zoonoses such as salmonella and for the monitoring and eradication of TSEs. These approved programmes receive financial contributions from the EU. A  financial package of €193 million has been approved in order to support programmes to eradicate, control and monitor animal diseases in 2007. The large EU contribution towards these programmes reflects the high level of importance attached to disease eradication measures, for the protection of both animal and public health.

For the year 2007, 61 programmes to eradicate 10 important animal diseases were submitted to the Commission, of which 47 have qualified for Community financial support. The total EU contribution to these programmes is €52,997,000. Within this budget, diseases that might be transmitted to humans are prioritised.

A financial contribution of €9,117,000 to control zoonotic salmonella in poultry in 18 Member States has been allocated for 2007. Funding has been doubled for these programmes each year since 2005.
Member States will also continue to carry out surveillance for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds in 2007 with financial assistance from the EU towards laboratory testing costs. This surveillance is the most effective way to detect early outbreaks of both high and low pathogenic influenzas and was extremely useful in 2006, allowing early detection of avian influenza in wild birds before commercial flocks became infected.