September 15, 2005

EU steps up preparation against bird flu

European Chief Veterinary Officers recently met in Edinburgh, Scotland, to discuss ways to cooperate against bird flu as part of the agenda.

Feedback indicated the meeting provided an important opportunity for EU vets to share technical expertise, and to discuss any possible cooperative alliance against bird flu.

Dr Evgeny Nepoklonov, Russia's chief veterinary officer, and Bernard Vallat, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), were among some of the attendees.

During the meeting, Dr Nepoklonov provided information on Russia's bird flu situation and gave a presentation. It was agreed that the EU would provide technical assistance to Russia. Dr Vallat also supported this move.

Meanwhile, the European Commission (EC) has approved surveillance plans by individual member governments to detect bird flu. The EC also said it would provide up to 50 percent of the funds required.

The EC would contribute EUR884,000 until January 2006 toward the cost of the surveillance programmes. Further funds would then be made available if necessary, the EC said.

Surveillance programmes would include increased testing of wild and domestic birds, and EU funds would finance about 25,000 tests in wild birds over the next year.