Program for eradication, control and monitoring aimed at limiting the spread of animal diseases.

Program for eradication, control and monitoring aimed at limiting the spread of animal diseases has been promoted by the European Court of Auditors. Animal health has a direct impact on public health, both because of food safety issues and because some animal diseases are transmissible to humans. In addition, animal disease outbreaks can generate significant economic costs, through the loss of EU domestic and export markets, as well as direct costs to the EU and Member State budgets for the control of the diseases in question.
Overall, the Court concluded that the animal disease programs that were reviewed adequately limited the spread of animal diseases. However, as disease outbreaks can occur at any time, the Commission and Member States should continue to be vigilant in this regard. The Court concluded that the approach taken by the Commission was generally sound and that it was supported by good technical advice, risk analyses, and a mechanism for prioritizing resources. The Commission provided guidance and facilitated the coordination of Member States' efforts. It also set minimum performance criteria to be met by Member States' programs. There have been some notable successes, for example reductions in the number of cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, salmonellosis in poultry and rabies in wildlife.
The Court recommended to the Commission: (a) to facilitate the exchange of epidemiological information between Member States; (b) to examine whether the current set of indicators should be updated to provide better information on veterinary control activities and the cost-effectiveness of programs; (c) to introduce systematically, where relevant, the aspect regarding wildlife in veterinary programs; and (d) to contribute to ensuring the availability of vaccines for use by Member States where epidemiologically justified.
The audit found that the Commission's approach to the eradication, control and monitoring of zoonoses and other animal diseases was generally sound and supported by adequate technical advice and responsible risk analysis, thus so as to adequately take into account the evolution of risks/epidemics.
Animal diseases can spread across national borders through the movement of both farm and wild animals, as well as through other vectors. Therefore, programs could be strengthened through good coordination between countries, where epidemiologically justified. However, there is no legal provision obliging Member States to present coordinated programs or to cooperate in their implementation.
Member States are responsible for developing eradication, control and monitoring programs that address their specific animal disease priorities based on appropriate indicators. In most cases, Member States have accumulated years of experience in combating various diseases of the years. The Commission can ask the Member States to propose programs, as well as to modify their strategy, but without being able to oblige them to do so. In addition, in the event of an outbreak of infection that presents a cross-border risk, Member States are obliged to implement specific measures provided for in sectoral legislation, regardless of whether or not these measures are co-financed by the EU.
The legislation stipulates that the compensation granted to farmers for animals subject to mandatory slaughtering in case of disease eradication programs must not exceed the market value of these animals if they had not been affected by the disease. The purpose of this provision is to establish a fair level of compensation, discourage fraud, and encourage farmer participation in the program. Excessive compensation payments may discourage the effective implementation of biosecurity measures.
Animal diseases generate significant economic costs and pose a risk to human and animal health. Diseases can spread across borders, and previous disease outbreaks have cost billions of euros. Therefore, the EU aims to protect animal health and funds programs developed by Member States to eradicate, control and monitor certain animal diseases. These programs include actions such as sampling, laboratory analysis, payment of compensation for killed animals, as well as vaccination campaigns. The audit examined whether animal disease eradication, control and monitoring programs adequately limit the spread of disease. This involved examining the Commission's approach to determine whether or not it was appropriate. It also examined whether Member States designed and implemented adequate programs, and whether the cost-effectiveness of the programs was adequately taken into account.
Wild animals can transmit diseases to domestic animals (and even people) and therefore need to be taken into account when developing an approach to animal health and funding animal disease programs. The Court found that the EU's approach to the treatment of wildlife diseases should be supplemented, in particular with regard to tuberculosis.
To further improve animal disease eradication, control and monitoring programs, the Commission should: (a) facilitate the exchange of epidemiological information between Member States; (b) examine whether the current set of indicators should be updated to provide better information on veterinary control activities and the cost-effectiveness of programs; (c) introduce systematically, where relevant, the aspect regarding wildlife in veterinary programs; and (d) contribute to ensuring availability of vaccines for use by Member States where epidemiologically justified.