The European animal health framework (Regulation 429/2016 on transmissible animal diseases), applicable since 2021, provides an “overall effective” basis for preventing and managing animal diseases, but requires substantial improvements to address growing health and economic challenges, according to an evaluation study published on Monday 6 July by the European Commission.
The Regulation has made it possible to harmonise rules across the European Union, strengthen prevention and improve co-ordination between Member States in response to epizootic outbreaks. In particular, it clarified the responsibilities of authorities, veterinarians and economic operators, while promoting a risk-based approach.
However, the evaluation points to several persistent weaknesses. Implementation of the Regulation remains uneven from one country to another, owing to varying administrative and financial capacities, which undermines the consistency of the European framework. Surveillance and data collection systems are still considered too heterogeneous, limiting early detection of emerging diseases.
The study also mentions the administrative burden weighing on livestock farmers, especially small farms, and calls for certain obligations to be simplified without compromising health objectives. Moreover, training and access to information remain insufficient to ensure uniform application of the rules in the field.
The authors recommend strengthening prevention, improving the interoperability of health databases and consolidating rapid response mechanisms in the event of a crisis.
Link to the study: https://aeur.eu/f/mq9 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)