Acta literal de los debates

Martes 22 de octubre de 2024 - Estrasburgo

15. Turno de preguntas a los comisarios - Situación de la salud animal en Europa: prevención y preparación frente a futuras crisis sanitarias en la agricultura

  Presidente. – L'ordine del giorno che reca il tempo delle interrogazioni alla Commissione, a norma dell'articolo 143 del nostro regolamento, dedicato al tema: "Situazione riguardante la salute degli animali: come prevenire le future crisi sanitari in agricoltura e prepararsi ad affrontarle".

Alcune informazioni per i colleghi. La durata prevista per il tempo delle interrogazioni è di 90 minuti. Avete a disposizione un minuto per formulare l'interrogazione e la commissaria avrà a disposizione due minuti per la risposta.

Per il primo turno di oratori sarà possibile porre un'interrogazione supplementare di 30 secondi con due minuti per la risposta a disposizione della Commissaria.

Vi ricordo che l'eventuale interrogazione supplementare è concessa soltanto se correlata all'interrogazione principale. Non consiste dunque in una nuova interrogazione.

Chi intende formulare l'interrogazione è invitato a registrare sin d'ora la propria richiesta, utilizzando la funzione catch sul vostro dispositivo di voto. Dopo, ovviamente, aver inserito la vostra tessera di voto durante il tempo delle interrogazioni, i deputati interverranno dal proprio scranno e invito, naturalmente sin d'ora, a rispettare i tempi che ci siamo dati.

Siccome i deputati potrebbero aver bisogno di alcuni minuti per registrare la loro richiesta, Vi concederemo naturalmente questo tempo e Vi chiedo, come Vi anticipavo prima, di presentare sin d'ora la vostra richiesta, così da poter procedere in maniera celere con i nostri lavori. Quindi, avete a disposizione qualche minuto di tempo per registrarVi, così da iniziare subito.

Mi comunicano che l'onorevole Blaha aveva fatto richiesta di parlare per un fatto personale all'inizio della seduta.

  Ľuboš Blaha (NI). – Vážená pani predsedajúca, včera som bol neoliberálnym poslancom z Litvy obvinený, že som bol v Moskve poďakovať za slobodu a za mier. Áno, hrdo sa hlásim k tomu, že som bol v Rusku, pretože verím v mierový dialóg. A áno, ďakoval som ruskému národu za to, ako sa obetoval v druhej svetovej vojne, aby nám priniesol slobodu a mier od fašizmu. Neviem, či ctený neoliberálny kolega z Litvy ďakuje Adolfovi Hitlerovi, ale my na Slovensku za oslobodenie od fašizmu ďakujeme Rusom a Červenej armáde. Neoliberálny poslanec zároveň požiadal vedenie Parlamentu, aby ma potrestalo, lebo nedodržujem nejakú politickú líniu, ktorú si schválila rusofóbna väčšina. Ako keby sme boli v Tretej ríši. Ja som slobodný človek, mám slobodné názory a za svoje súkromné peniaze budem cestovať,kam len chcem. A ubezpečujem vás, že som si v Ru u zo svojich peňazí zaplatil všetko do posledného boršču. Mám silný mandát od Slovákov, aby som bojoval proti vojne a proti rusofóbii. A mám ešte silnejší morálny záväzok, že mám tri malé deti a nechcem, aby jedného dňa umierali v jadrovej vojne. A preto do Ruska pôjdem znova. A môžete ma aj upáliť.

  Presidente. – Onorevole Blaha, lei è certamente libero di esprimere le sue opinioni purché siano naturalmente conformi ai valori fondanti su cui le nostre istituzioni europee si basano e che quest'Aula è impegnata a rispettare ogni giorno.

Quindi, naturalmente, la Presidenza prenderà visione del suo intervento ed eventualmente le comunicherà una decisione al riguardo.

E ora procediamo con le nostre interrogazioni. Ha facoltà di intervento, e di porre la sua interrogazione alla commissaria, l'onorevole Glavak.

  Sunčana Glavak (PPE). – Poštovana predsjedavajuća, poštovana povjerenice, željela bih zapravo uputiti pitanje koje je vezano i uz temu o kojoj želimo govoriti, a to je na koji način se možemo pripremiti za iduće krize i na koji način Komisija može i našim poljoprivrednicima, ali i građanima osigurati da imaju dobre opskrbne lance hrane, a s druge strane poljoprivrednici da imaju što manje štete.

Nedavno i u mojoj domovini Hrvatskoj, nažalost, bili smo suočeni i sa svinjskom kugom i s novim izazovima. Prema tome, trebamo i financijsku potporu i trebamo sigurnost u onom zdravstvenom smislu kako za dobre i sigurne dobavne pravce, a jednako tako smatram da moramo imati i bolju razmjenu informacija na razini Europske unije. Suočeni smo, naravno, i s crnim tržištem, koje još uvijek nismo iskorijenili, i s lošom robom, koja se još uvijek pojavljuje na našem tržištu.

Stoga vas molim odgovor na moje pitanje na koji način možemo to spriječiti, pomoći građanima i pomoći poljoprivrednicima.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – Thank you very much for that question. It's true that the EU has recently been affected by several animal diseases, and I would say that these have been more frequent and more severe than in the past. And because you specifically mentioned African swine fever, we, as a Commission, have been closely monitoring the epidemiological situation of African swine fever and providing support, including financial support, with over EUR 230 million through veterinary programmes and emergency measures to support Member States. We have been holding daily exchanges between the Member States and the Commission services and this is very important, when we have these kind of situations, to have very close networking, and we've learned how this can help.

On a technical level, we have had on-the-spot visits to Member States by our EU Veterinary Emergency Team, EU VET. I think there have been a number of visits to different Member States. We have the scientific advice that we receive from EFSA, and we also have the EU reference laboratories, which have diagnostic capabilities and technical expertise.

So there is a variety of actions that we can do because it is important that we provide this kind of support in order to make sure that we deal with any emerging diseases which appear in EU territory, in not only a preventive way, but also in a rapid response way. And, at the same time, working very closely with the Member States so as to give them the tools that they need, if possible, and to allow them to know that we are there to support their initiatives. But I would also say that it has, as I said, been true, that we have had more severe animal diseases than in the past in the last few years.

  Dario Nardella (S&D). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Commissaria, mi lego a quanto appena detto sulla peste suina africana, che sta allarmando molti paesi europei, tra cui anche il mio, l'Italia.

Attualmente 27 focolai attivi si registrano in diversi allevamenti italiani: 19 in Lombardia, sette in Piemonte, uno in Emilia Romagna. Ma la situazione è in continua evoluzione. Oltre 120.000 suini sono stati abbattuti nel tentativo di arginare l'epidemia, tre quarti dei quali solo negli ultimi mesi.

A questo si aggiunge anche in Europa la preoccupazione per la "blue tongue", la malattia della lingua blu: non è nuova ma preoccupa il fatto che nelle scorse settimane si è registrata un'impennata di questi casi, soprattutto in Paesi come i Paesi Bassi, la Germania, il Belgio, il Lussemburgo e la Francia.

Allora, signora Commissaria, noi vorremmo sapere qual è lo sforzo sulla ricerca scientifica per la vaccinazione, necessaria a dare una soluzione di lungo termine contro la peste suina africana e altri tipi di malattie. E se il vaccino sviluppato dal Vietnam, in collaborazione con gli Stati Uniti, contro la peste suina africana è considerato un valido strumento per arrivare ad una soluzione permanente per questo problema.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – As I said, in terms of animal diseases – and this includes African swine fever, which is a deadly virus, we are looking at it very closely, epidemiologically, since 2014. It has affected several EU Member States, in particular those on the eastern EU border, but also we are seeing outbreaks in western Europe. Altogether, just for information, 14 Member States have been affected so far. We are closely monitoring it, providing financial support, over EUR 230 million, for the temporary programmes and emergency measures to support our Member States and their neighbouring countries, with the daily exchanges that are already mentioned with the Commission services and the Member States, the EU VET team, EFSA and, of course, the EU reference laboratories' diagnostic capabilities.

It's also important when we are dealing with animal diseases that we have national awareness campaigns, and we are working with Member States for that and also have trainings.

In terms of the vaccines which you mentioned, we contribute to ongoing research projects related to African swine fever, including the development of vaccines, with over EUR 30 million. Due to the particularities of this virus, we do not have an effective and safe vaccine against the ASF, which would comply with the high quality criteria which is in EU legislation, but we have been supporting research projects for a long time and we are now, in 2024, supporting two new research projects through Horizon Europe.

You also mentioned bluetongue disease. I just wanted to tell you that this is exactly one of the diseases that we are also looking at. The EU frameworks that have been set don't envisage EU funding for the bluetongue virus veterinary eradication programmes. So we're following that closely. But funding of emergency measures to control or eradicate bluetongue virus isn't possible, as funding is allocated to other major priority animal diseases such as ASF.

  Dario Nardella (S&D). – Una breve replica: a proposito della vaccinazione, signora Commissaria, la Commissione è in grado di prospettare un tempo entro il quale si può raggiungere il risultato di un vero e proprio vaccino? Perché i nostri allevatori sono estremamente preoccupati e hanno bisogno di una prospettiva chiara da questo punto di vista.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – I fully understand the concern of farmers. Of course, when you're dealing with animal diseases and the animal health situation, of course it's a concern to farmers. But I'm not able to provide a timeframe. What I can tell you is that we are, in fact, investing in research towards a vaccine. But, as I have mentioned in my original response, due to the particularities of this virus, for the moment there is not a safe and effective vaccine which complies to the criteria established for safety under EU legislation.

We will continue, and I think this is vital in the area of health and animal health, to support research projects which are relevant to finding and developing vaccines, which are going to be able to be used for ASF.

  Csaba Dömötör (PfE). – Tisztelt Elnök Asszony! Az egyre gyakoribbá váló járványok egyre nagyobb terhet rónak az európai állattenyésztőkre, különösen, hogy a járványok közül több, például a madárinfluenza lassan endemikus betegséggé válik, tehát jó eséllyel folyamatosan jelen lesz. Tovább súlyosbítja mindezt, hogy a klímaváltozás újabb és újabb betegségek terjedését teszi lehetővé, illetve gyorsítja fel. A járványok miatt hozott kényszerintézkedések, például a kényszervágás óriási károkat okoznak a termelőknek. Elvileg létezik egy kártalanítási eljárás, de az erre szánt forrás a jelenlegi uniós költségvetési keretben nem elégséges. Létezik ugyan egy általános tartalék is, de ezt az Európai Bizottság más célokra fordította, például Ukrajna támogatására.

Mindezek alapján az a kérdésünk, hogy az Európai Bizottság konkrétan hogyan tudja biztosítani a gazdák kártalanítását, kártalanítást azért, mert végrehajtják az előírt uniós járványügyi intézkedéseket? Egyáltalán célja-e az Európai Bizottságnak, hogy legyenek erre további források?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – First of all, I will start with a general comment on the financial support to deal with animal diseases and then say a few specific words on the highly pathogenic avian influenza.

As I'm sure you know, the CAP strategic plans envisage a comprehensive set of tools to mitigate and prevent the economic impacts of animal diseases while also supporting biosecurity. And there's a support rate of up to 100 % of eligible costs allowed in the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. And where included in a Member State's plans, support can also be provided for risk management and actions aimed at improving farm biosecurity, such as mobile slaughterhouses and investments. There are also the exceptional market measures under the Common Market Organisation Regulation, which can be adopted to cover the losses incurred by farmers in an area where there are movement restrictions in place, and such measures can be activated at the request of a Member State, which is then responsible for 50 % of the co‑financing of the measure. But the conditions are very strict.

For the pathogenic avian influenza, the Commission has been taking measures for this for almost 20 years now, and because of its zoonotic risk, under the Union surveillance mechanism, programmes were updated to require surveillance in mammals and areas in periods of infection. The enhanced surveillance of birds and mammals is carried out directly by the Member States, and the Commission is funding surveillance programmes under both the single market programme (with about EUR 2 million available) and the EU4Health budget programme (which has 20 million available for 24‑25). We have the reference laboratories to tackle the risk of infections, which issue guidance. And we are working closely with the Member States. As you know, these epidemics of highly pathogenic avian influenza and, as was mentioned, African swine fever do generate extremely high costs. At the same time, it is true that the limited budget is available and the EU co-financing could not be sustained at the same level as before. So this is where we stand now.

  Carlo Fidanza (ECR). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Commissaria, io naturalmente condivido gli interventi dei colleghi, la necessità di intervenire per dare il massimo sostegno, anche economico, agli allevatori che sono sempre più colpiti, purtroppo, da queste epidemie animali.

Penso che si debba fare di più anche in previsione della prossima PAC, creando uno specifico fondo per indennizzare le perdite subite dagli allevatori: perdite che sono sia dirette – naturalmente mi riferisco a quelle legate al numero dei capi che vengono perduti in queste occasioni – ma sono anche indirette, come quelle legate alla catena del valore e alle eventuali perturbazioni di mercato dovute ai blocchi del commercio internazionale.

Lei poco fa faceva riferimento alla possibilità di intervenire con le misure di mercato previste dalle OCM. Ma volevo chiederle se non ritiene che, in questa direzione, sia fondamentale impegnarsi per far riconoscere effettivamente ai Paesi terzi il principio di regionalizzazione, evitando così di generare allarmismi ingiustificati tra i consumatori di quei Paesi ed evitando anche quindi una concorrenza sleale sulle esportazioni agroalimentari, come sta avvenendo purtroppo in molti casi.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – In terms of the trade partners and what we are doing in order to support Member States, I just wanted to inform you that we are supporting our Member States in shaping their national vaccination strategies through dedicated working groups. For example, on the recent experience of France, in terms of vaccinated poultry, there are five countries that have banned imports from there. We're working with scientific evidence and experience. I would also say that it is important that we put all the measures that we can into place to mitigate the effect that animal diseases have on farmers, to mitigate the economic impacts of animal diseases, while also stressing biosecurity.

But it is true that in the last years, the EU has recently been affected by several animal diseases and more severely than in the past. Just to also add that we also have a harmonised legal framework for animal health, which allows the Commission to adopt emergency measures in order to support measures in a specific country. We work globally in very close cooperation with key international standards setting bodies such as the World Organisation for Animal Health, such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation and WHO. So, I can assure you that we are more committed than ever to strengthening our efforts to support Member States in all the necessary measures to control and eradicate these diseases.

At the same time, we need to continue to, as I said, raise awareness of animal diseases and work better on biosecurity and all the available tools, including vaccination, to stop the diseases.

  Carlo Fidanza (ECR). – Signora Commissaria, lei ha parlato di un quadro armonizzato dal punto di vista sanitario e sicuramente questo è, dal punto di vista delle norme.

In realtà, molto spesso ci troviamo di fronte a una situazione non armonizzata per quanto riguarda invece il tema della sorveglianza, che in alcuni Stati membri appare non essere né adeguata né tanto meno armonizzata, spesso provocando segnalazioni tardive che finiscono poi col gravare sulle tasche dei nostri agricoltori e, non solo, su tutta la catena e, in ultimo, sui consumatori.

Ecco, lei ha in mente anche di provare ad armonizzare la seconda fase, cioè quella dell'applicazione delle misure di sorveglianza?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – When working with Member States, we provide scientific advice through ECDC and EFSA on preparedness and prevention and, of course, on control measures. At the end of this year, the Commission will be receiving a scientific opinion to update the guidance on risk management. We also have the EU reference laboratories, which jointly assess the epidemiological situation, and then they provide recommendations for response and to identify the risks.

We regularly discuss the epidemiological situation at EU level with joint meetings of the public health authorities through the Health Security Committee and of the chief veterinary officers. And we are engaged in simulation exercises to improve the emergency preparedness and to provide a coordinated response. So surveillance is a part of the work that is ongoing in very close contact with the Member States, which, as I said, is done through different mechanisms, but is an almost daily activity.

  Hilde Vautmans (Renew). – Voorzitter, ik denk dat al heel wat collega's het gezegd hebben: we staan voor een ongekende situatie van sanitaire crisis in de landbouw. Ik wil namens België één groot punt voorleggen, namelijk blauwtong. Onze minister van Landbouw heeft de crisis in de sector al erkend.

Wat mij echter vooral opvalt, is dat er toch een gebrek is aan Europese coördinatie voor de aanpak van deze crisis. Ik denk dat we echt moeten kijken hoe we het vaccinbeleid gaan organiseren. Collega's hebben het al gezegd: er zijn lidstaten waar het verplicht is, waar het ondersteund is, en andere lidstaten waar dat niet zo is, terwijl we natuurlijk een eengemaakte markt hebben. Dat betekent dus oneerlijke concurrentie. Ten eerste: wat gaan we doen aan die eengemaakte markt en natuurlijk het vaccinbeleid rond blauwtong? Ten tweede: de chaos rond dierentransport moet echt wel stoppen. Ook hier zie je dat lidstaten de grenzen sluiten terwijl zij nog wel exporteren. Hoe gaat Europa daarmee om?

En last but not least: een hele grote shout out: ik vind dat we landbouwers meer moeten ondersteunen die getroffen worden door deze crisis. België heeft het al gevraagd: laten we de landbouwreserves activeren en de getroffen landbouwers financieel ondersteunen. Hoe staat u daar tegenover, commissaris?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – As has already been said, bluetongue is a viral disease that affects ruminants. It's mainly transmitted by midges. For this disease, Member States may voluntarily implement eradication programmes, and the Commission will grant disease-free status at EU level where appropriate.

In the EU, there are four serotypes of the bluetongue virus which are circulating: 1, 3, 4 and 8. The situation is more dynamic for serotype 3, which was recently introduced in central and in northern Europe. I think, as you have said, vaccines are available, which can protect animals against bluetongue. However, these vaccines are not available for all types. In such cases, the disease can have serious consequences, as we saw this year in the Netherlands also.

For serotype 3, the process of developing vaccines is still ongoing, but at least one vaccine is showing efficacy. And voluntary vaccinations are starting in five Member States. So, I think that was mostly the first question.

In terms of the question on animal transport, an interinstitutional decision is in progress on the transport proposal. The discussions in the Council so far are encouraging. Some topics remain controversial. All Member States seem willing to bring about improvements in the area of the existing situation and of the legal task in a way that is going to be both realistic and manageable in practice. So we are in that process now.

  Hilde Vautmans (Renew). – Toch heel kort één reactie rond de vaccinstrategie. Ik denk dat collega’s er al toe hebben opgeroepen. We hebben een eengemaakte interne economische markt, dus zouden we ook rond vaccins een eengemaakt Europees vaccinatiebeleid moeten ondersteunen.

Op mijn laatste vraag heb ik helaas geen antwoord gekregen. Ik zou echt wel een pleidooi willen houden. Er zijn in België meer dan 500 boerderijen getroffen. Bij die landbouwers staat het water aan de lippen. Waar blijft de financiële ondersteuning voor de getroffen landbouwers?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – As I said in an earlier question, we have support that can be provided through the CAP where this was included in Member States' plans. But the EU also allocates funds for financial support for emergency measures and long‑term financial measures under the eradication programmes, and this can be compensation for culled animals and for destroyed animal products, for sampling, for surveillance, for testing and vaccination. This is subject to budget availability.

The budget for the single market programme, which was EUR 146 million per year, has not decreased in recent years, but due to the large number of outbreaks of animal diseases – mainly pathogenic avian influenza and African swine fever – as well as plant pests in 2020 and 2021, the original allocation of co-financing of emergency measures covered an insufficient amount of what was needed. To stay within budget, the co‑financing rates for emergency measures and veterinary and phytosanitary programmes had to be reduced by 60 % from 2023 onwards. So for that reason, the EU can now only reimburse 20 % to 30 % of the expenses which are incurred.

  Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE). – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin! Die Art und Weise, wie wir Tiere in Europa behandeln, muss sich drastisch ändern. Es kann nicht sein, dass wir so viele Tiere auf so engem Raum halten, sie mit Medikamenten vollpumpen, sie dann einmal quer durch Europa und darüber hinaus transportieren.

Erst vor wenigen Tagen wieder kam es zu einer Tiertransportkatastrophe im Zusammenhang mit dem Blauzungenvirus, die durch die Abschaffung der intensiven Tierhaltung eingedämmt werden könnte: zwei LKW mit hochträchtigen Kühen und Kälbern, gestrandet an der türkisch-bulgarischen Grenze. Die Tiere standen wochenlang in ihrem eigenen Kot, umgeben von krepierenden Tieren. Mit der intensiven Tierhaltung wird nicht nur das Wohlbefinden der Tiere beeinträchtigt, sondern auch die menschliche Gesundheit bedroht.

Für die neue Kommission muss es eine Priorität sein, das Konzept „Eine Gesundheit“ fächerübergreifend umzusetzen, um die Pandemie der Antibiotikaresistenz wirksam zu bekämpfen. Wir brauchen auch eine Reduzierung der antimikrobiellen Mittel in der EU-Tierhaltung bis 2030, eine Verbesserung von Biosicherheits- und Hygienemaßnahmen und eine stark überarbeitete Gesetzgebung für die Tierhaltung insgesamt.

Ich frage deshalb wiederum die Kommission, wann es endlich zu den anderen Texten kommt, den Tierschutzvorschlägen, damit die so schnell wie möglich umgesetzt werden. Und ich frage nach einer Timeline, wann die endlich von der Kommission publiziert werden.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – Of course, animal welfare has been a priority for us throughout the last five years. It's important to stress, though, that the exact role going forward will depend on the incoming Commission's, and of course, Commissioners' priorities. But we need to continue building on the existing animal welfare legislation, and the Commission will be gradually modernising the rules on animal welfare to make sure that they are aligned with the latest science.

You mentioned the concept of 'one health'. I think that this has been a priority for us moving in the last five years, understanding how 'one health' impacts and that we can no longer continue to look at health in terms of separating animal health, human health, the environment and plant health. So the concept of 'one health' is horizontal in the way we look at health now.

It is important that we have the same standards across the European Union for animal welfare. But it is also important that we have their consistent implementation and that we design a balanced approach to ensure the welfare of animals on farms. We, as a Commission, have been listening very carefully to stakeholders, to citizens, and we acknowledge the need to change to improve animal welfare standards. As you may know, we have enhanced animal welfare measures, for example, for dogs and cats, and we have put forward a proposal for improvement of animal transport. This shows our commitment to the well-being of animals.

I am pleased to say that the progress on the legislative proposal on dogs and cats in Council was very fast, with the Council mandate achieved within one single presidency. And I'm confident that this proposal will continue with constructive work within the European Parliament. We are expecting longer discussions, as I said, on the transport proposal, but so far this is encouraging. We will wait to see because the specific agendas are going to be set up by the incoming Commission, but, of course, the current Commission, the EFSA projects and opinions provide a very sound foundation for the way forward.

  Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE). – If I may, I'd like to insist on the question on the three remaining legislative proposals, where we know that the studies have been done. Is there no possibility to know something about the timeline? So I'm speaking about 'End the Cage Age' – so the husbandry of farmed animals – and also slaughtering and labelling. I think they go hand in hand with also reducing the risk of spreading zoonoses, etc. So we need to stop these intensive farming methods where we have all the studies showing what we need to do.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – As I said, the way going forward will be taken up by the next Commission. You mentioned 'End the Cage Age', and here preparatory work is ongoing. There are elements which are being pulled together from the different consultations and an ongoing impact assessment, that show how important this issue is to citizens, but also that the transition for our agricultural sector requires proper management and support.

So at the moment we have been assessing all these important aspects, looking at, for example, the appropriate length of time of the transition period, the relevant measures that import the costs, and it will be the next Commission that will be taking this forward.

  Anja Hazekamp (The Left). – Commisaris, de vraag is: hoe kunnen we gezondheidscrisissen door de landbouw voorkomen? Er is eigenlijk maar één mogelijk antwoord: veel en veel minder dieren houden in de vee-industrie. Ik hoop dat u dat met mij eens bent.

Deze dieren zitten op elkaar gepropt, nog steeds in kooien of in megastallen en worden ook nog eens door heel Europa gesleept. Dat leidt ons van crisis naar crisis. Q-koorts, mond- en klauwzeer, varkenspest, vogelgriep en veel recenter covid. Deze ziektes zijn funest voor dieren en een tikkende tijdbom voor mensen. Waarom is er nog steeds niets veranderd? Niet in de vee-industrie en ook niet in de bontindustrie. Want ook daar worden dieren in kooien gehouden. Ze worden gemarteld voor bontjassen en kragen en fungeren als een mengvat voor virussen.

1 miljoen mensen hebben gevraagd om een bontvrij Europa. Het ene na het andere land sluit de bontindustrie; vandaag Roemenië nog. Waarom heeft u nog geen einde gemaakt aan de bontindustrie in Europa?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – I have already alluded to the fact that we have, in the EU, been affected by several animal diseases and, I would say, more frequently and more severely than in the past. What I think is also important is the concept that has been raised by Members: one health. The concept of 'one health' has become central in all our policies. I believe that we saw with COVID how important it is that this is included in all our policies.

I would also say that what the Commission is doing in these areas of animal diseases is multi-layered. There is a harmonised legal framework for animal diseases. The Commission adopts emergency measures, if necessary, to deal with a specific outbreak. We've established a network of EU reference laboratories for animal diseases to enable a harmonised animal diagnosis and to support early detection and the surveillance of animal diseases.

Whatever way we move forward needs to be supported by science, so we work very closely with EFSA and the ECDC. We co-finance veterinary measures, like disease surveillance. And in 2023, the Commission also introduced vaccination‑friendly rules that enable a broader use of vaccines. We also have vaccines available in EU vaccine banks, which can be used by Member States, or even by third countries, if needed to prevent and control diseases. This, together with the ongoing research that is going on and the support given through the EU VET team, already shows that a great deal is being done.

Now in terms of the question on animal fur, we are processing the 'Fur Free Europe' ECI. Recognising the complexity of the issue, we have mandated EFSA to conduct a very comprehensive scientific review by March 2025. We are committed to a rigorous and science‑based evidence approach and will communicate our assessment by March 2026, considering all the economic, social and legal impacts and the feasibility of alternative welfare standards. Pending this assessment, however, we are taking several steps in relation to animal welfare and 'one health', and the environmental impacts of farming. We have convened several meetings of the HSC, the Health Security Committee. We have joint meetings with the EU Chief Veterinary Officers, so that we are constantly monitoring the health situation. And we're also organising on‑site visits to Member States, to their mink farms and fur farms, exploring the controls and the 'one health' mechanisms in place.

  Herbert Dorfmann (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Kommissarin! Leider sind die Herausforderungen – und das haben die Kolleginnen und Kollegen schon gesagt – im Bereich der Tiergesundheit zunehmend; das betrifft die Afrikanische Schweinepest, das betrifft aber auch die Hühnergrippe und vor allem in den letzten Wochen auch die Blauzungenkrankheit, die sich in Europa ausbreitet. Und es ist natürlich nicht nur ein Problem für die Tierhalter, für die das oft an den Rand des finanziellen Ruins geht, sondern auch für das Tierwohl selbst. Man darf ja nicht vergessen, dass bei einem Ausbruch z. B. bei der Hühnergrippe oft tausende von Tieren gekeult werden müssen, auch Tiere, die noch gesund sind.

Deswegen wollte ich Sie fragen – wir haben in diesem Haus vor nicht allzu langer Zeit, im Jahr 2022, die Verordnung 2370 beschlossen, das Europäische Zentrum für die Prävention und die Kontrolle von Krankheiten: Wie weit ist die Umsetzung des Ganzen? Und wie sehen Sie die Entwicklung oder den Vorteil, den diese Verordnung auch mit sich bringen sollte?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – As you have said, there are a number of animal diseases affecting the EU. You mentioned the African swine fever, we have heard about bluetongue, we have sheep pox and goat pox, which has appeared in some countries, and, of course, the highly epidemic avian influenza. In the last year, we have seen fewer infections in 23/24 of avian influenza in wild birds and consequently less outbreaks in poultry. However, the risk of infection of this continues to exist, as it continues to be detected in migratory birds. We are asking EFSA and ECDC to monitor the situation.

Also, I would say that we are working on the management of these diseases through the CAP, where the Member State plans include the risk management and the actions to improve biosecurity and to support the farmers. We have the exceptional market measures under the Common Market Organisation Regulation, which can be adopted to cover the losses incurred by farmers located in areas where they have movement restrictions. And we also have the funds which can be allocated to tackle animal diseases through financial support for emergency measures and through long-term financial support under eradication programmes.

  Christophe Clergeau (S&D). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, j’étais le 13 septembre à l’assemblée générale de la Fédération nationale ovine à Troyes, en France. J’ai partagé la détresse des éleveurs qui voient leurs bêtes mourir en s’étouffant lentement à la suite de la fièvre catarrhale ovine. J’ai vu la détresse d’une filière à l’équilibre économique fragile et qui peut s’éteindre faute de soutien.

Oui, ils réclament des vaccins gratuits et généralisés. Oui, ils réclament une indemnisation pour les pertes directes et indirectes, ainsi qu’un plan de relance de la filière. Mais ils veulent aussi que l’Europe les aide à éviter les futures épidémies. C’est ce qu’ils m’ont dit.

Pourquoi la réponse aux alertes a-t-elle été aussi lente? Pourquoi a-t-il fallu attendre l’été pour vacciner en France alors que la campagne de vaccination avait démarré en avril aux Pays-Bas? Pourquoi la production de vaccins est-elle encore trop souvent insuffisante?

Alors oui, nous devons aujourd’hui envisager de créer une agence européenne de préparation aux crises de santé animale pour surveiller les risques, prévenir les crises, rendre rapidement les vaccins disponibles. Nous l’avons fait pour la santé humaine après la crise de la COVID-19 avec la création de l’Autorité européenne de préparation et de réaction en cas d’urgence sanitaire. Pourquoi ne serions-nous pas capables de faire aujourd’hui la même chose pour la santé animale?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – As has already been said, we are providing expertise to Member States through our network of EU reference laboratories for animal diseases, and this is very important because it enables to have a harmonised quality diagnosis, which supports, then, to have correct early detection and correct surveillance. And we are working constantly together with the Member States, with scientific work supported by EFSA and the ECDC. We also, as I mentioned before, have introduced vaccination-friendly rules last year that enables us a broader use of vaccines, and the Commission has vaccine banks available that can be used in Member States and by third countries.

Now, in terms of specifically sheep and goat pox, this is another, of course, severe viral disease of sheeps and goats. This is endemic in Türkiye, which in the past entered the EU mostly along its eastern frontier. In 2023 it was Greece that experienced an outbreak of this disease. This was eradicated rapidly by early 2024. However, since August, the country is affected by a new wave of outbreaks of this disease along its eastern border, and Bulgaria also had experienced two isolated outbreaks. One was quickly eradicated and all measures were lifted, and for the other ones, all necessary measures were put into place.

For dealing with sheep and goat pox, the EU financial support, which is up to 30% for control measures taken by Member States – including the compensation of farmers for the cost of the animals culled and the products destroyed, and the cleaning of establishment – was mobilised. We provide the technical support. The EU VETs organise field missions and, if necessary, there is a provision of vaccines up to 500 000 doses to support the early stages of sheep pox and goat pox vaccination campaigns. But so far, no request has been received for that.

  Manuela Ripa (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin! Vorbeugen ist besser als heilen – dies war noch nie so wahr wie während der COVID-19-Pandemie. Wir haben jetzt hier schon vieles gehört, aber ich möchte trotzdem noch mal nachfragen. Zoonosen: Die gibt es nicht nur auf Märkten in China, sondern die haben wir auch genauso in Europa in etlichen Pelztierfarmen. Ein neuester Bericht belegt, dass gerade durch die Haltungsbedingungen von Pelztieren generell eine besondere Gefahr für die öffentliche Gesundheit ausgeht. Und weil Sie es angesprochen haben, Frau Kommissarin: Impfungen alleine – das haben auch Untersuchungen ergeben – reichen hier nicht immer.

Und dann haben wir auch Zoonosen und andere Krankheiten bei Nutztieren. Das Parlament hat hier mehrfach das Konzept „Eine Gesundheit“ gefordert – wir haben es eben schon angesprochen –, denn Studien belegen, dass das Risiko für Krankheiten reduziert werden kann, wenn Tiere gut und artgerecht gehalten werden; auch der Antibiotikaeinsatz kann hier minimiert werden.

Deswegen meine Fragen: Worin sehen Sie noch eine Legitimation für die Aufrechterhaltung der Pelzproduktion in Europa? Und zweitens, bezüglich des Gesetzes zur Haltung und dem Wohlergehen von Nutztieren: Sie können nicht sagen, wann es kommt, aber könnten Sie denn wenigstens sagen, wie hier das Konzept „Eine Gesundheit“ aussehen könnte, damit es Bauern und den Tieren zugutekommt?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – The importance of a 'one health' approach is evident, and we have seen the importance of this, of course, being recognised more and more since the COVID-19 pandemic. I have already said that in terms of the 'Fur Free Europe' Citizens' Initiative, we have already mandated EFSA to conduct a comprehensive scientific review, which will be by March 2025, and we are, as always, committed as a Commission to a science-based approach. We will be communicating our assessment and, of course, pending this, we will be taking this forward.

I want to go back, if I may, to say that there is a great deal that the Commission is already putting into place in order to deal with animal diseases. We have mentioned the laboratories, the harmonised framework, the EU VET service, the co-financing, working very closely with Member States. And this has been the way forward, in terms of animal diseases, that you need to work through the 'one health' approach. But in order to work in the 'one health' approach, you also need to ensure that Member States are also on board with this, and they're working at different levels for the 'one health' approach.

This includes having communication and awareness campaigns for the different diseases in the Member States, and this is all part of the toolbox that we have been building together. And this is relevant to African swine fever, to sheep and goat pox, to bluetongue, in order to be able to deal with the threats that we have seen, which have affected the EU definitely more severely and frequently than before, in the last few years.

  Cristina Maestre (S&D). – Señora presidenta, señora comisaria, desde luego que cada vez se producen más crisis sanitarias animales, y tenemos una crisis bien grande de norte a sur de la Unión Europea con la propagación de la lengua azul entre los rumiantes: miles y miles de explotaciones afectadas, los veterinarios no dan abasto. Si escuchamos a los ganaderos, las expresiones más comunes son «incertidumbre» y «desesperación»: la ruina para muchos ganaderos que sufren otro mazazo más en una actividad que está sumamente precarizada. Por lo tanto, urgen medidas ya.

Sobre la lengua azul ha dicho, comisaria, que no pueden dar un calendario: ¡pero si se detectó en primavera y estamos a finales de otoño! Esto es intolerable; los agricultores y los ganaderos, especialmente, no pueden esperar, porque esto es urgente: están muriendo miles de cabezas de ganado y esto es una crisis económica con un impacto muy grande también en el sector agroalimentario.

Nosotros pedimos una vacunación masiva, urgente y financiada por la Unión Europea. ¿Está dispuesta la Comisión Europea a financiarla? Y no me digan que esto se acaba y que tiene que venir el nuevo Colegio de Comisarios: esto no puede esperar, los agricultores y ganaderos no pueden esperar. Exigimos ayudas directas compensatorias para los afectados por la lengua azul y la activación de los fondos y mecanismos necesarios.

Hay una ley de vigilancia que tiene que ser cumplida y que tiene que ser cofinanciada, y usted ha dicho claramente que la Comisión Europea cada vez cofinancia menos: eso no puede ser, no se puede depositar en los Estados miembros toda la responsabilidad, porque para eso tenemos también una normativa europea, y la ayuda y la vigilancia de la Unión Europea, desde luego, no han funcionado. Me gustaría que nos diera explicaciones sobre si va a arreglar esta situación desde el ámbito competencial de la Unión Europea.

  Presidente. – (in reazione ad un intervento senza microfono di un collega) No, questo non è accettabile. Mi scusi, onorevole: io permetto a tutti di terminare i loro interventi e chiedo cortesemente di rispettare il tempo di parola per tutti e ho chiesto più volte collaborazione. Però la prego stia calmo e rispetti il lavoro che si fa in quest'Aula.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – As has already been raised, I have said that, for bluetongue, Member States can voluntarily implement eradication programmes, and I have said that there are four serotypes of this bluetongue virus. The vaccines are available which can protect animals against bluetongue. However, these vaccines are not available for all types. And in such cases, the disease can have serious consequences in sheep farms. For serotype 3, which is the more dynamic, the process of developing vaccines is still ongoing. One vaccine is showing efficacy, and Member States are already starting vaccinations. I think it's five Member States.

In terms of the support, the EU framework and the priorities that have been set do not envisage EU funding for bluetongue virus veterinary eradication programmes, and funding of emergency measures to control or eradicate bluetongue virus isn't possible, as funding is allocated to other major priority animal diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza or African swine fever.

However, I will go back to saying that the Commission has several mechanisms in Member States to help them fight animal diseases, which include the the support of the reference networks, the EU VET team, the support we have with EFSA and ECDC, and the research, of course, is ongoing. Research is crucial. And we're looking at ways and solutions and innovative ways to eradicate and control animal diseases. So this is work which is continuously ongoing.

  Mireia Borrás Pabón (PfE). – Señora comisaria, ha hablado ya de la importancia de la vacunación y de utilizar todas las herramientas para mitigar el riesgo de enfermedades en el ganado, como ha dicho usted literalmente. Precisamente por eso quiero insistir en las políticas de sanidad animal. Es crucial e importantísimo que se efectúe el control sanitario y poblacional de animales silvestres a nivel local, pero también el control de las fronteras en Europa.

Está comprobado que enfermedades como la peste porcina, de la que ya se ha hablado en este Parlamento, la lengua azul o la viruela ovina entran a España por las fronteras; de hecho, la última viruela que sufrimos en España se debió a la entrada de carneros de Argelia. Lo mismo ocurre con las plagas, que han resultado desastrosas para nuestro campo, como la de la avispa asiática, procedente también de un barco carguero de China.

Frente a una Europa rendida a una política de puertas abiertas que sucumbe ante los intereses de terceros países antes que proteger los suyos propios, para VOX y para el Grupo Patriotas por Europa la defensa de nuestras fronteras es una política esencial para garantizar la sanidad animal, la seguridad alimentaria, la preferencia comunitaria y la defensa de nuestro espacio social y económico europeo. En este sentido tenemos gran interés por conocer, señora comisaria, la postura de la Comisión respecto a cómo tienen previsto reforzar los controles de frontera tanto a nivel fitosanitario como zoosanitario.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – In terms of the priority of animal health and animal welfare, we now, going forward, have a commissioner of health and animal welfare, which I think in itself sends a strong message.

Now, in terms of your question, the EU provides financial support for surveillance and detection of emerging diseases, including sheep and goat pox in high-risk areas. For transboundary animal diseases, there are co-financed programmes in Bulgaria and Greece and Türkiye. These are coordinated by the European Commission for the control, for example, of foot and mouth disease and by FAO. We have the EU reference networks for emerging diseases support the national reference networks of neighbouring third countries so that they have the appropriate diagnostic capacity. And this way we have early detection of diseases in third countries and then can quickly warn the EU about their presence in its vicinity. We can also organise our EU VET expert team field missions to go to neighbouring countries upon their request, in order to ensure that we work closely with them, to prevent the incursion of emerging diseases into the EU.

There are EU vaccine banks available for several diseases, and if needed, the shipment of vaccines can support vaccination campaigns in neighbouring third countries as well. And we have ongoing training workshops for animal diseases, not only for Member States, but also for third countries. In 2024, there are I think it's two training workshop going on in Spain and in Bulgaria. So all this is work done in parallel in order to support also third countries, but also to support them in being able to diagnose early and, in this way, prevent and control.

  Jessika Van Leeuwen (PPE). – Voorzitter, het debat van vandaag gaat over het voorkomen van crisissen met dierziekten in de landbouw. Vaak worden er dierwelzijnsnormen bedacht die juist het tegengestelde bereiken.

Het verdwijnen van kooien, wat zojuist een aantal keer is genoemd, heeft in veel gevallen een verslechtering van de sanitaire status opgeleverd, dus deze oproepen voegen vandaag niks toe aan de discussie die we hier hebben over hoe we dierziektecrisissen kunnen voorkomen in Europa. Wat echter wel een groot probleem is, is dat we geen Europese harmonisatie hebben op het gebied van beheersmaatregelen en bioveiligheid, wat het tegengaan van de verspreiding van dierziekten tussen lidstaten erg bemoeilijkt.

Ik wil dan ook de Commissie verzoeken om zich met spoed te gaan richten op de uniformering van de beheersmaatregelen en een EU‑brede standaard voor bioveiligheid in het leven te roepen. Hierbij zal er ook geld moeten gaan naar en geïnvesteerd moeten worden in het opzetten van diagnostische infrastructuur om in elke lidstaat snel en effectief een diagnose vast te kunnen stellen. Alleen als er in de hele EU uniform gehandeld wordt, kunnen we daadwerkelijk spreken over een “één gezondheid”-benadering.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – I think it's very important that again we stress that we need to have several mechanisms in place in order to fight animal diseases and support the Member States. I spoke of a harmonised legal framework for animal health in order to be able to adopt emergency measures where we have specific outbreaks. And in terms of having this harmonised approach, I believe it's extremely important to emphasise, again, the network of EU reference laboratories, because this allows a harmonised quality diagnosis. And unless you have a harmonised quality diagnosis across the Member States, so they are all able to detect early and in a way that you have early detection, then you can also have surveillance. So the set‑up of the EU reference laboratory networks was extremely important in terms of the bringing‑together and the harmonisation of how Member States detect diseases and then how quickly they move. Of course, all of this needs to be based on science. And this is why we are supporting Member States through EFSA and the ECDC.

Furthermore, I said before that when dealing with animal diseases, we are in constant communication with the Member States, and we have called in different situations meetings of the Health Security Committee, in order to bring everyone on board. We have seen when dealing with the COVID‑19 pandemic, the importance of collaboration, coordination of Member States in order to be able to work together. And this is not only true for human health. And when we're talking about 'one health', those principles that talk about coordination and collaboration, the use of science, of evidence‑based, the importance of preparedness, are also very relevant when we're dealing with animal diseases. We need to have good diagnostics. We need to have harmonised diagnostics. We need to allow preparedness and then pick up early to respond quickly. This is what we've been working for at Member States level.

  Eric Sargiacomo (S&D). – Madame la Présidente, Madame la Commissaire, grippe aviaire, fièvre catarrhale ovine, maladie hémorragique épizootique, fièvre porcine: les élevages sont mis à rude épreuve aux quatre coins de l’Europe. Face au désarroi qui touche nos éleveurs, il est temps de réagir et d’adapter les stratégies sanitaires.

Sur mon territoire, les Landes, dans le sud-ouest de la France, nous avons dû attendre six ans avant de pouvoir disposer d’un vaccin contre la grippe aviaire. Tout ça pour pouvoir exporter. En vain. Cela a coûté des dizaines de millions d’euros aux finances publiques, et une filière a failli disparaître. C’est absurde.

Nous devons prévenir plutôt que guérir, car cela coûte moins cher. Nous devons disposer d’une véritable stratégie européenne de vaccination. C’est un impératif économique, social, de santé animale et de santé publique. Nous devons également garantir à nos éleveurs que leurs animaux vaccinés pourront être commercialisés au sein de l’Union européenne, mais également dans les pays avec lesquels nous avons des accords commerciaux.

Alors, Madame la Commissaire, je voudrais savoir: quelle est votre stratégie pour que notre marché unique puisse fonctionner dans un contexte de flambée des zoonoses, si chacun de nos pays ferme ses frontières?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – As has been said, the Commission is closely monitoring the situation in terms of African swine fever and, of course, highly pathogenic avian influenza. In terms of African swine fever, we do a number of initiatives: providing financial support, daily exchanges with Member States, the EU VET team's scientific advice and diagnostic capabilities. More specifically, in terms of the highly pathogenic influenza, because of the zoonotic risk, the Union's surveillance programmes were updated to require surveillance in mammals in periods of infection.

We are funding surveillance programmes under the single market programme and the EU4Health programme. We have issued guidance under the EU reference networks – and for vaccination against the seasonal influenza, it's offered to individuals who are exposed to avian influenza at work. In addition to this, we are engaged in a simulation exercise on HPAI to improve the emergency preparedness and coordinated response. EFSA and ECDC and the EU reference laboratories are assessing the epidemiological situations and providing recommendations for response to identified risks.

Based on the recent experience of France, only five countries have banned imports from France or vaccinated poultry and products thereof. And the Commission is supporting Member States in shaping their national vaccination strategy through a dedicated working group on this. Based on the updated scientific evidence and experience with vaccination, the Commission will advocate for acceptance by third countries of vaccination as a complementary tool to help prevent and control highly pathogenic avian influenza for compliance with the international standards. Already, in May 2023 and in May 2024, at the World Organisation for Animal Health assemblies, the Commission organised side events to present its new rules on vaccination and the new scientific knowledge on vaccination. So, work on this is ongoing.

  Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Pani Komisarz! Szanowni Państwo! Z niepokojem obserwuję pogarszającą się sytuację zdrowotną zwierząt hodowlanych w Unii Europejskiej. W Polsce kolejne ogniska ASFu przynoszą ogromne straty naszym hodowcom. Niekiedy zmuszają do likwidacji całej hodowli. Czy zatem Komisja rozważa utworzenie funduszu dla rolników, którzy ponieśli tak ogromne straty, że musieli zlikwidować swoje gospodarstwa?

Pani Komisarz. Nasi rolnicy i hodowcy nie potrzebują jednak kolejnych ideologicznych konceptów, ale uproszczenia przepisów, większej wiedzy i łatwiejszego dostępu do środków zapobiegawczych. Obecnie naszych hodowców i producentów rolnych wiąże ponad 400 różnych aktów prawa weterynaryjnego. Ich obowiązki i zakres odpowiedzialności nie są niestety zawsze jasno określone. Przepisy często są niespójne i różnie interpretowane w różnych państwach członkowskich. Czy rozważany jest przegląd prawa w celu jego uproszczenia?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – In terms of African swine fever, we have already said this, it has affected several EU Member States in the last 10 years. Outbreaks also occur in western Europe and not only in the eastern EU border, and altogether 14 Member States have been affected so far.

Now, there have been successes when it comes to eradication in some territories, for example, like Sardinia, but so far only Belgium and Sweden have managed to completely eradicate the disease after it occurred in their territories. But these successes show that where we have concerted efforts at national level and at EU level, eradication is possible if we base our actions on the science.

In terms of support, through the CAP, the strategic plans of Member States envisage a comprehensive set of tools to mitigate the economic impacts of animal diseases, while supporting biosecurity measures, where they're included in Member States' plans. Support can be provided for risk management actions including on farm biosecurity, and investments to restore agricultural potential following the outbreaks. In terms of funds, which can be allocated for emergency measures, these can be done through through co-financing, as has already been said.

For ASF, we do not yet have an effective and safe vaccine against ASF because of the peculiarities of this virus, vaccines which meet the high quality criteria established by the EU legislation, but we'll continue, of course, to support the research projects over a long period. And we have two new research projects for the vaccine of ASF in 2024 under Horizon Europe.

  Borja Giménez Larraz (PPE). – La ganadería es un pilar fundamental para el desarrollo rural y hoy enfrenta problemas serios: las enfermedades animales pueden dar lugar a importantes pérdidas de ganado y costes económicos. La Unión Europea debe poner en marcha políticas que permitan contener y prevenir enfermedades animales, pero también debe garantizar que la normativa que se aprueba no lastra la competitividad de nuestro sector primario.

Los primeros interesados en garantizar la salud de los animales son los ganaderos. Normativas como la propuesta para regular el transporte animal no tienen base científica; lo que sí es una evidencia es el impacto negativo que esta regulación tendría en la industria agrícola y ganadera y en el medio ambiente. Pongamos a las personas en el centro, no queremos más problemas.

¿Es consciente la Comisión Europea de la necesidad de lograr un equilibrio entre la protección de la salud y bienestar animal y la competitividad del sector primario? ¿Cree que la propuesta de Reglamento relativo a la protección de los animales durante el transporte cumple con estas premisas?

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – We need to, of course, strike a balance, but this balance in itself is exactly the concept of one health: that we cannot have health without having the health of animals, humans, environment and plants put together. This is the concept of one health. And you, of course, need to have a balance of this. And health and competitiveness go together. We are very well aware of this, and this is why we need to work at different levels in order to to mitigate and to improve the animal health situation in the EU, because we have been affected by several animal diseases in the last years, and I would say more severely than in the past. And in order to deal with this, you need to have a toolbox of measures, work very closely with Member States in order to mitigate and always to have a balance between the different aspects.

  Michal Wiezik (Renew). – Vážená pani predsedajúca, ďakujem, pani komisárka, za dnešnú hodinu otázok. Mal by som jednu špecifickú k africkému moru ošípaných. Vieme, že zdrojom tejto nákazy je voľne žijúca populácia diviačej zveri. Uplatňujeme rôzne preventívne opatrenia, väčšinou spočívajúce na masívnom odlove, no pritom ignorujeme vlastne efekt, ktorý na šírenie tejto choroby - a ten efekt je pozitívny - majú prirodzené predátory diviakov, a v tomto kontexte najmä vlk. Vieme, že je veľmi efektívny vo vyraďovaní oslabených, nakazených jedincov z tej populácie, takisto požieraním mŕtvych nakazených jedincov bez rizika ďalšieho šírenia toho ochorenia. Preto moja otázka znie, či Komisia vlastne zohľadňuje aj tento potenciál prirodzených predátorov voľne žijúcich zvierat pri tlmení šírenia takýchto chorôb a či plánuje zahrnúť tento potenciál ako nástroj naozaj do integrovaného systému ochrany zdravia zvierat.

  Stella Kyriakides, Member of the Commission. – In terms of the African swine fever situation in the EU, we are, as I said, closely monitoring the epidemiological situation and in order to to deal with this, we are providing support in different ways. This is a deadly virus, it's a disease of the highest concern. As we said, it has affected 14 Member States so far.

There have been successes. So far, only two countries, Belgium and Sweden, have managed to completely eradicate the disease after it occurred in their territories. But the fact that they were able to do so and these successes show that when we have concerted levels at national and EU level, we are able to to eradicate. We need to take all the factors into consideration together, and I would say that other than the financial support and the exchanges between Member States, a very important part is the advice provided by EFSA, but also the need to have support of national awareness campaigns and organisation of trainings. The diagnostic capabilities and the expertise by the EU reference laboratory network has been very important in trying to deal with African swine fever, and it is a disease that we are we are constantly monitoring and also providing specific research projects related to this, including one for the development of vaccines. But in order to deal with it, you need to horizontally work in all areas.

  Carmen Crespo Díaz (PPE). – Señora presidenta, señora comisaria, en primer lugar, de lo que está hablando es de la actuación normal que se hace en cuestiones de sanidad animal, pero en estos momentos tenemos una crisis importante en Europa: especialmente, le hablo de mi país, donde, con la lengua azul y la enfermedad hemorrágica epizoótica, tenemos un problema muy grave.

Creo que en estos momentos habla de 230 millones de euros, pero con una crisis de estas características, lo que tiene que plantearse —y, si no, la nueva Comisión— son unos presupuestos adicionales para una situación de crisis como la que estamos pasando. Fundamentalmente, se debe plantear la coordinación en la investigación con los Estados miembros y también la financiación de la vacunación desde Europa. Creo, además, que en estos momentos se está perdiendo cabaña ganadera a grandes pasos, y es un drama ver también la situación ganadera y a los ganaderos y las zonas rurales europeas que están siendo afectados. Por tanto, necesitamos un protocolo que sea coordinado y posibilidades, con un control ...

(la presidenta interrumpe a la oradora)

  Presidente. – Come potete ascoltare, è in corso un'esercitazione di evacuazione.

Quindi, purtroppo, dobbiamo lasciare l'Aula e, appena terminata l'esercitazione si potrà riprendere la seduta.

(La seduta è sospesa alle 16.26 per ragioni tecniche)