18.12.2004

An international conference on animal disease control held in Brussels concluded (16/12/04) that there is growing international support for vaccinating animals during outbreaks of infectious animal disease. The conference conclusions were presented to Director-General Bergkamp of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and Deputy Director-General Husu-Kallio of the European Commission's Health and Consumer Protection Directorate.
The conference also concluded that the products of vaccinated animals should not be labelled to distinguish them from other products; that livestock farmers and other stakeholders share responsibility for disease prevention and dealing with problems in marketing the products of vaccinated animals; and that new financing schemes, such as insurance and contingency funds should be stimulated at the European level.
Minister Veerman, who opened the conference on Wednesday, is satisfied with the conference conclusions which will be discussed by the European agriculture ministers at the December Agriculture Council.
At the close of the conference, the Commission announced the launch of a Technology Platform for Global Animal Health. The platform is an industry-driven partnership covering the whole chain, from research and innovation to delivery of new vaccines and tests.