Press Release: G7 + agree on plan to coordinate responses to bioterrorism globally

G7+ Health Ministers and Secretaries met in Ottawa on 8 November 2001 and agreed on a joint “Plan for improving health security”. Health Ministers from Canada, the US, Japan, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Mexico and the EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne met to discuss a joint response to potential threats of bioterrorism. The G7+ emphasized the strong need to immediately upgrade emergency preparedness in all countries concerned and to effectively improve common response and alert mechanisms. Commissioner Byrne welcomed the plan as complementary to European efforts and stressed the fact that terrorism, particularly bioterrorism, is an international issue which needs an international response.