Brussels, 24/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 24 June, the European Commission adopted a package of measures, including a European action plan, to enhance chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear security in the EU. “The CBRN package is an important and timely initiative. Terrorist groups acquiring weapons of mass destruction, including CBRN materials, is the most frightening scenario,” said European Justice, Freedom and Security Commissioner Jacques Barrot. “Although Europe has fortunately not seen a large-scale attack using these materials, the seriousness of the potential consequences for our societies is such that we cannot be complacent. The measures proposed represent the EU's contribution to the efforts of the member states in this field", he said. The main objective of this raft of measures, which takes the form of a Commission communication, an EU action plan in the field of CBRN and a document entitled "Bridging Security and Health", is to support the efforts made in the member states in this field and to establish a framework for better coordination and reinforced cooperation between stakeholders. The EU action plan for CBRN, which is planned over three years (2010-2013), comprises 133 measures, from prevention and detection to reinforced preparation and reaction capacity. The measures included within this EU action plan will be implemented principally by existing national, Community and international structures. The Directorate General "Justice, Freedom and Security" plans to allocate up to €100 million from existing funding programmes to support its implementation. Other Commission financing programmes, such as the programme on research in the field of security under the seventh framework programme of the EU, will also make a financial contribution. (B.C./transl.rt/fl)