Avian Influenza: EU surveillance measures extended

A Commission proposal to extend requirements for the on-going surveillance of wild birds and poultry for avian influenza until December 31st 2006 was backed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) today. The Commission will provide up to €2 million in co-funding for laboratory tests carried out on poultry and wild birds for avian influenza.

Member States must submit their national surveillance programmes to the Commission for approval by 7 February 2006, after which the allocation of funds will be agreed. The Commission already provided €884 000 towards the costs of surveillance programmes from July 2005 to the end of January 2006, and this next phase of funding will cover the period from the start of February to the end of December 2006. Today's Decision provides some guidance for Member States in drawing up their surveillance plans, including requirements for laboratory testing and procedures for the sampling and testing of birds. The Commission upgraded the surveillance measures already in place last October, and around 25 000 wild birds have been tested for avian influenza in the EU since then. All samples to date have tested negative for the Asian strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

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