European Animal Health Strategy and Transboundary Diseases

Abstract

A new animal health strategy has been developed for the European Union in 2007. European Member States competent authorities implemented a 4 pillars action plan based on prioritization of intervention, legislative framework, prevention, surveillance and preparedness, and science, innovation and research. The initiative identified long term preventive approaches and recognized the strong relations among animal health and welfare and public health. A positive impact was demonstrated by reported epidemiological trends, showing decreases of certain infectious diseases incidences. However, despite steps toward the application of the new strategy, problems such as the full control of tuberculosis, object of prophylactic campaigns for more than 50 years, still remain to be solved. In addition, high attention is required to face emerging or re-emerging infectious diseases. Exotic diseases such as blue tongue, African swine fever and lumpy skin disease recently challenged Europe showing their potential of transboundary diseases, and indicating that sustainable animal health prevention strategies should be based on interdisciplinary approaches, international cooperation and in line with the “One health” principle.