Cost and responsibility sharing arrangements in the EU to prevent and control notifiable veterinary and phytosanitary risks.

Abstract

Abstract A cost and responsibility sharing scheme (CRSS) is gaining interest in Member States (MSs) to prevent and control notifiable veterinary and phytosanitary risks. A vital part of this is a public private partnership (PPP) in which farmers and national governments decide how costs and responsibilities are shared. A CRSS-PPP has the goal to raise more awareness, reduce risk exposure, provide incentives for rapid disclosure and increases support of control strategies if outbreaks occur. The main reason for farmers to participate in a CRSS is the responsibility sharing part. In many MSs, farmers lack influence on the decision-making process regarding prevention and control of outbreaks although they are most affected. However, implementing new CRSSs requires careful preparation, negotiations and trust building. An obligation for a gradual introduction of CRSSs by all MSs respecting certain harmonized criteria established at European Union level is not likely in the near future. A more dual approach is foreseen whereby individual MSs continue or establish CRSSs by means of PPPs while others will still opt for more hierarchical regulated disease policies.