The EU Council of Ministers is expected to adopt conclusions in the near future calling for an integrated approach to biosecurity to reduce the risk of transboundary animal diseases at farm level.
It underlines the importance for the EU to develop sufficient protection capacity against transboundary animal diseases at the various points of entry of animals and goods into the EU. Member States recall that transboundary animal diseases can be introduced and spread not only through the movement of animals, but also through contaminated goods or means of transport, even over long distances.
The EU Council underlines that it is the responsibility of all operators and professionals working with animals, including transporters, to limit as much as possible the risk of the spread of transboundary animal diseases in the course of their activities. It points out that many transboundary animal diseases also affect wildlife and that actors such as hunters, amateur ornithologists and forest management and nature conservation organisations can therefore play a very important role in detection and control. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)