December 6, 2012

EU sets US$260 million for measures against animal diseases

The EU will invest US$260 million in programmes which aim to eradicate, control and monitor animal diseases.

Overall, 137 programmes have been selected for EU funding to tackle animal diseases that impact on human and animal health as well as trade.

The allocation of financing will assist national authorities to control and eradicate these diseases, fund vaccination and carry out surveillance programmes in order to detect early outbreaks.

Moreover, due to the eradication programmes, the rabies situation in Member States continues to improve and the increased level of co-financing (75%) will further assist the Member States in their final efforts to eradicate rabies.

Continuing with the positive trend in terms of decrease in disease prevalence, the total amount has also decreased on the previous year. As of July 2013, the programmes submitted by Croatia will also be eligible for co-financing.