EU Plans Massive Cash Boost to Prevent Livestock Diseases

December 10, 2007 — 

The European Commission is, according to this story, planning to offer ?186 million ($273 million) in 2008 to fund programmes for the prevention and handling of animal diseases across the bloc.

According to EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, the plan is to fund 197 annual or multi-annual programmes to eradicate, control and observe diseases such as foot and mouth or scrapie.

The story goes on to say that for 2008, financial support will be offered for 61 annual or multi-annual programmes for the eradication of 10 significant animal diseases, costing ?70m ($102.6 million). There has been a ?17 million ($25 million) increase in the EC's budget for combating diseases compared to the year before, mainly due to the increase of catarrhal fever - suffered by sheep - in many member states. Due to the success of these programmes over the past few years, Western Europe is now completely rid of rabies. Efforts now will be focused on the eastern part of the EU, for which the Commission has contributed ?13.8m ($20.2m).

The EC's budget will also include a 4,344,000 euro ($6.37m) fund for the observation of bird flu, which will sponsor lab tests and contribute to the prevention of the disease.

To observe and prevent mad cow disease (MSE), the Commission is planning to contribute ?62 million ($91m), while for the prevention and handling of scrapie, it plans to provide ?18 million ($26.4m).

Source:
AnimalNet, December 2, 2007

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Jacqueline Theodoulou
Cyprus Mail