The 2nd Meeting of the Advisory Forum Representatives on Animal Health - 12 May 2009, Vilnius

European animal health experts meet to discuss how to further enhance scientific cooperation

Following a successful first meeting in 2008, the second meeting of Advisory Forum (AF) representatives on Animal Health took place in Vilnius on 12 May, 2009, kindly hosted by the Lithuanian State Food and Veterinary Service. The aim of this special meeting of the AF was to further enhance exchange of information between EFSA and the Member States and strengthen cooperation in the specific areas of animal health and welfare.

The participants received an overview of EFSA’s scientific cooperation and assistance tools and projects which could be relevant for this network like the Expert Database and the Focal Points network. Examples of the importance of data collection and analysis were given during the discussions and EFSA’s work together with the Member States on Bee Mortality and the Stunning and Killing of Farmed Fish was highlighted.

EFSA provided an overview of its activities in the area of harmonisation of risk assessment methodologies and data collection. EFSA also updated the experts on the last year’s activities and scientific opinions published by the Animal Health and Welfare panel (AHAW) as well as relevant documents produced by the Scientific Committee, such as scientific opinions on animal cloning, alternatives to animal testing, and transparency in risk assessment.

Among the key topics of the meeting was the presentation of a report on the organisation, approach and risk assessment procedures applied in the Member States in the area of animal health and welfare. This report is based on the results of a questionnaire developed last year, which gathered information on the organisation of the relevant national bodies currently performing risk assessment in these areas. The report includes information on how risk assessment in the area of animal health and welfare is structured in the various countries – responsibilities, tasks, expert involvement and transparency in the risk assessment work. It also presents ongoing national activities related to the risk assessment procedures and outlines possibilities for future cooperation with EFSA. This report will be published on EFSA’s website shortly.

The meeting was concluded by a discussion on past and future cooperation between EFSA and Member States on animal health and welfare. The participants reiterated that these special meetings are very useful and suggested they take place more regularly.

Advisory Forum Representatives on Animal Health – Background

In accordance with EFSA’s strategy for cooperation and networking with Member States, a network with Advisory Forum representatives on Animal Health was launched. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and the European Commission were invited to participate as observers. This platform for cooperation and networking on scientific advice and risk assessment related to animal health and welfare is based on a dynamic exchange of information among all participants. It provides all partners an extra resource to strengthen and coordinate their efforts both at national and European levels. The Forum has a collaborative approach in working with the Member States. EFSA and the Member States can join forces addressing European risk assessment and risk communications issues, scientific matters and early response to emerging risk issues in the specific areas of animal health and welfare.