| Author (Person) | Banks, Martin |
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| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.10, No.5, 12.2.04 |
| Publication Date | 12/02/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Martin Banks Date: 12/02/04 DAVID Byrne, the health and consumer protection commissioner, has rejected criticism that the EU was slow to respond to the Asian bird flu crisis, which has claimed 19 lives. Addressing MEPs in Strasbourg on Tuesday (10 February), Byrne pointed out that the Union had banned imports of Thai chicken and eggs on 25 January in a bid to halt the spread of the virus. He said the EU had also offered to meet the €1 million cost of providing protective and laboratory equipment to help tackle the outbreak in Vietnam. "I was actually in Vietnam and Thailand recently and, as soon as I realized there was a potential health threat to the EU, I took immediate preventative action. It is totally incorrect to suggest that the Commission did not respond quickly," he said. The EU has sent a team of animal health experts to the worst-affected areas in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia to assist in combating the disease and would "continue monitoring the situation closely," added the Irishman. Meanwhile, MEPs have given the green light to the creation of a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, to be based in Sweden. It is expected to be operational next year and its running costs are estimated at €47.8m in 2005-06. As well as coordinating EU-wide efforts to combat communicable diseases, its tasks will be to serve as an early warning system for major health emergencies such as SARS, the recent avian flu outbreak and the perceived threat of "bio-terrorism". MEPs approved a report by UK Conservative member John Bowis, paving the way for the centre to be set up. |
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| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry |
| Countries / Regions | Southeastern Asia |
