Without realising it, every single European depends on animals in some way. Even those who are not pet owners, who are not linked to farming, or who do not eat fish, meat, or eggs or drink milk. We all depend on animals, from the tiny bee who pollinates the fruit trees, to the trained sniffer dogs protecting our borders from illegal activities, or the grazing animals sustaining Europe’s rural landscapes and biodiversity. This is why we say animal health matters. Good animal health contributes to our shared One Health, so when we repeat this line: Animal Health Matters, it’s not just a catchy saying. It’s a statement of fact.
With diseases like African Swine Fever, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and Blue Tongue Virus encroaching on our territory, it is clear that the EU must make a stand for its animals, to also protect its people.
We count on Europe’s new and future leaders to take a firm stand to make animal health a top priority for Europe because they have to know that they can count on us
As EU heads of states call for a prosperous and competitive Europe that protects its citizens and advances together, the animal health sector is here to say: we’ve got your back for our part of the pie.
The EU has faced many crises over the past years, mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and facing both economic and geopolitical challenges. Yet throughout these crises, Europe still registered the lowest burden of foodborne illness in the world and a largely uninterrupted supply of affordable meat, milk, fish and eggs. And the majority of Member States retain ‘disease-free’ status from a number of serious animal diseases.
Europe is the birthplace of modern veterinary medicine and home to world-leading animal health companies. Thanks to this innovative sector providing the necessary tools and expertise, working together with veterinarians and authorities, the EU has done a stellar job in moving from a very fragmented national approach to animal disease control to a more harmonised system of animal health measures, disease surveillance, diagnosis and control. As Europe moves forward, more recognition should be given to the central role that animal health can play in a strong and healthy future for the continent.
The 2024-2029 Strategic Agenda of the European Council talks about strengthening the EU’s resilience, preparedness, crisis prevention and response capacities, to protect our society against crises, including health emergencies. It also talks about building up capacity and sovereignty in sectors like the pharmaceutical sector and key technologies of the future, in order to improve access to medicines, making a success of the green and digital transitions, and promoting a business-friendly environment. With the “One Health” concept - that is the intrinsic links between human and animal health and the environment - now firmly understood in the EU we would assume that this prioritisation of the pharmaceutical sector includes both human and animal health products, and that competitiveness in both sectors will be encouraged equally.
The Strategic Agenda also points out the vital role that vibrant rural communities play in ensuring food security. The animal health sector plays a central role in supporting rural areas, and it strives to provide solutions to address current challenges such as emerging infectious diseases, climate change, antibiotic resistance, and an increasing population requiring an increased supply of food. All this requires increased preparedness as well as simplification of bureaucratic and regulatory burden. To guarantee our ability to continue protecting animal health and welfare, to continue protecting people from illnesses that are shared between animals and people, and to continue supporting sustainable and resource-efficient livestock farming, the EU must ensure a stable and predictable framework and create a more supportive environment for scaling up Europe’s manufacturing capacity.
Sustainability and competitivity can be delivered on simultaneously, particularly in the domain of animal health. By limiting barriers and stimulating investment in research and development at EU level, veterinary medicines producers can address some of the challenges we face head on. And at the same time retain Europe’s place at the forefront of health innovations in the global market.
Innovations such as modern biosecurity practices, animal genomics, and adapted nutrition, use of digital monitoring technologies, modern vaccines, diagnostics for early detection, and therapeutics for treating infections, as well as better analysis and understanding of animal health data, can support vibrant rural communities and Europe’s drive for climate neutrality.
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As we see it, from protecting Europe’s animals, to safeguarding the population from diseases that can pass from animals, while supporting food safety and security, the producers of veterinary medicines contribute to various objectives of the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029. And we remain ready to engage with decision makers to support the objective of a safe and competitive Europe during this mandate. As EU heads of states have said: “Our destiny is in our own hands. We have the talent, courage and vision to successfully shape our future.” We believe that a Europe whose political and regulatory framework stimulates growth and innovation in the animal health sector, is a Europe that secures a more sustainable future for all.
We need to ensure preparedness and rapid response to health needs in the event of emerging or re-emerging disease outbreaks. We need positive action to forge a clear pathway for R&D, deployment of timely solutions, and a sustained utilisation of the wide toolbox of animal health solutions, for a strong and healthy future for Europe