EU: €34 mln to fight poultry diseases in 2008
The European Commission has approved a financial package of €186 million to support programmes to eradicate, control and monitor animal diseases in 2008.
Zoonoses control programmes
Of the package, a financial contribution of €8.6 mln to control zoonotic salmonella in poultry breeder flocks in 19 Member States as well as €21 mln in poultry laying hens flocks (first year) have been allocated for 2008. This is three times the amount allocated for this disease in 2007.
Avian influenza surveillance
Member States will also continue to carry out surveillance for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds in 2008 with financial assistance from the EU towards laboratory testing and wild birds sampling costs. A total of €4.3 mln will be available from the EU budget.
“Safeguarding animal health is an essential factor in ensuring food safety, and in avoiding the often devastating consequences that animal epidemics can have. The decision to allocate considerable resources to the fight against animal diseases shows the Commission’s unwavering commitment to this goal,†said Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection.
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