Brussels, 20/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The EU25 farm ministers managed to reach agreement on 20 December on a directive updating EU control measures for bird flu. The new directive aims to ensure that the most appropriate surveillance and control measures for bird flu are in place in the EU and that the health risks and economic costs of a potential outbreak are minimised, explained Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou. A key aspect of the new directive is the introduction of more measures against low pathogenic viruses, to prevent mutation into the highly pathogenic forms responsible for the worst epidemics in poultry and other birds. Member States must ensure that no poultry are moved to or from an infected holding until the virus is eliminated, and all birds in the infected flock must be slaughtered normally or, if necessary, 'stamped out' to prevent farm-to-farm spread of the virus. The new directive introduces greater flexibility with regard to vaccination. The Commission explains that 'the new measures laid down will be managed so that restrictions on the trade in poultry and poultry products from the vaccinated areas can be minimised. The Commission has been given authorisation to take interim measures in line with the new directive that would be immediately binding on the Member States. The directive comes into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal, despite the fact the transposition deadline is 1 July 2007.