26.11.2009

The European Commission adopted a financial package of €275 million to support programmes to eradicate, control and monitor animal diseases in 2010. The 224 annual or multi-annual programmes which were selected for EU funding will tackle animal diseases that impact both human and animal health. 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.
Each year the Commission approves programmes for the eradication and monitoring of animal diseases, for the control of zoonoses such as salmonella, for the monitoring and eradication of TSEs and for avian influenza surveillance. These approved programmes receive financial contributions from the EU.
For 2010, 224 eradication, control and monitoring programmes for animal diseases and zoonoses have been approved, for which Member States wish to receive a financial contribution from the Community for 2010.
Salmonella programmes have further expanded this year with the inclusion of activities in turkey farms (now turkey, broilers, layers and breeders are covered). A financial contribution of €26M has been allocated to control zoonotic salmonella in poultry ( Gallus gallus) and turkey flocks (Meleagris gallopavo) in 25 Member States.
Member States will also continue to carry out surveillance for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds in 2010 with financial assistance from the EU towards laboratory testing and wild birds sampling costs. More than €4M will be available from the EU budget.
This surveillance is the most effective way to detect early outbreaks of both high and low pathogenic influenzas and was extremely useful in previous years, allowing early detection of avian influenza in wild birds before commercial flocks became infected.