Author Archives: Kenneth Singht

A simplified CAP for Europe

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about A simplified CAP for Europe

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Agriculture > General framework

A simplified CAP for Europe

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of 18 March 2009 – A simplified CAP for Europe – A success for all [COM(2009) 128 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Since 2005 the Commission has taken on a number of activities which have simplified the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from a technical * and policy * perspective.

Technical simplification

The main technical simplifications concern:

the repeal of legal acts deemed to be obsolete;
the adoption of the Regulation establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets in 2007, better known as the ‘single CMO’. This new Regulation replaces 21 individual common organisations of the market and groups them together into one single regulation;
the modification and streamlining of the policy on State aid, including the adoption of the de minimis Regulation in the agricultural sector in 2007;
a study to measure administrative costs;
the creation of platforms for the sharing of best practices concerning CAP simplification.

Policy simplification

The policy-related actions concern:

the sugar CMO reform, which merged the various quota types into one single quota. This reform also included the budget for sugar-aid into the envelope of the Single Payment Scheme and replaced intervention by private storage;
the Single Payment Scheme, to make it more “farmer friendly” and to simplify its functioning;
reforms in the fruit and vegetables and wine sectors, which integrated these sectors into the Single Payment Scheme;
impact assessments and evaluations, which involve stakeholders at an early stage of the legislative process and render it more transparent. They also improve the quality of proposals and the quality of debates on proposals.

Processes followed for CAP simplification

stakeholder consultation, screening, Action Plan;
the conference organised in October 2006;
internal training on legislative drafting;
IT systems: the ISAMM system (Information System for Agricultural Market Management and Monitoring) to facilitate the electronic exchange of information between Commission services and Member States is in its final development phase.

CAP simplification Action Plan

Launched at the end of 2006, the Action Plan is based on suggestions from Member States, stakeholders, producers’ organisations and the Commission. The plan had evolved to around fifty technical simplification projects by January 2009, of which 43 have been implemented.

The projects taken up concern, in particular:

the abolition of licences for exports of beef without export refunds;
egg marketing standards;
the abolition of the requirement that farmers should have a parcel at their disposal for at least 10 months before being able to apply for direct payments;
the elimination of most of the obligations relating to import and export licences;
specific marketing standards concerning 26 types of fruit and vegetables;
an amendment of the rules on cross-compliance * (for example, advance notice for on-the-spot checks); etc.

Special focus

An important accomplishment within the context of legislative simplification of the CAP was the adoption of the Council Regulation establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets, commonly referred to as the “single CMO”. The new Regulation replaces all 21 individual common organisations of the market and groups them together into one single regulation, thereby reducing the number of articles from around 920 to around 230 and repealing a total of 78 Council acts. Finally, the single CMO facilitates further simplification and reduction of administrative burden at the level of Commission implementing provisions.

Within the context of the Action Programme for reducing Administrative Burdens, a study assessing the administrative burden on farms arising from CAP was published at the end of 2007. This study, carried out in Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland and Italy, provides an assessment of the administrative costs associated with the Single Payment Scheme in 2006 and presents an outlook on future developments. The results of the study indicate that administrative burden on farms will decrease substantially. One factor is the learning curve effect and the disappearance of the administrative costs associated with the start-up of the Single Payment Scheme. The changes decided in the Health Check are another important reason.

The Health Check of the CAP reform simplifies the provisions of the Single Payment Scheme and renders the 2003 CAP reform more efficient. In particular, it stresses the need for further decoupling of support and the abolition of several schemes such as payments for energy crops and durum wheat, etc. to reduce the administrative burden on farms. The Health Check has also simplified the rules on the modulation franchise * as well as the provisions concerning the functioning of the National Reserve and payment entitlements that originate from that reserve.

Outlook

The actions under consideration concern:

common starting dates for legal acts;
communication and conservation of information;
a training programme for officials which involves a farm stay;
harmonising cross-compliance rules;
improvements in quality policy;
more regular review of legislation;
continuation of the Action Plan with the addition of new projects;
training on writing skills, to make legislation easier to read;
continuation of sharing best practices.

Context

This Communication takes stock of the activities carried out since the 2005 Communication on CAP simplification. As a result of the progress made in simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy, the Commission expects to achieve its objective of reducing administrative burdens by 25% by 2012.

Key terms of the Act
Technical simplification: implies revision of the legal framework, administrative procedures and management mechanisms to achieve streamlining and greater cost-effectiveness and attain existing policy objectives more effectively, without changing the underlying policies. Policy simplification: reduces complexity through improvements to the agricultural support and rural development policy instruments. It may be described as ‘policy development with simplification implications’. Cross-compliance: the payment of certain European aid is subject to compliance with basic environmental and health requirements. Modulation: an instrument introduced by the 2003 reform which allows resources intended for direct aid to farmers to be transferred to rural development measures during the period up to 2013.

Key terms of the Act

Technical simplification: implies revision of the legal framework, administrative procedures and management mechanisms to achieve streamlining and greater cost-effectiveness and attain existing policy objectives more effectively, without changing the underlying policies.
Policy simplification: reduces complexity through improvements to the agricultural support and rural development policy instruments. It may be described as ‘policy development with simplification implications’.
Cross-compliance: the payment of certain European aid is subject to compliance with basic environmental and health requirements.
Modulation: an instrument introduced by the 2003 reform which allows resources intended for direct aid to farmers to be transferred to rural development measures during the period up to 2013.

Agreement with Bangladesh on partnership and development

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Agreement with Bangladesh on partnership and development

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Agreement with Bangladesh on partnership and development

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

External relations > Relations with third countries > Asia

Agreement with Bangladesh on partnership and development

Document or Iniciative

Council Decision 2001/332/EC of 26 February 2001 concerning the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on partnership and development.

Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on partnership and development.

Summary

The cooperation put in place between the European Union (EU) and Bangladesh should contribute to the sustainable development of the country and the fight against poverty. Bangladesh is one of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Areas of cooperation

Special attention is paid by the partners to the fight against drugs and against HIV/AIDS. Their actions comprise:

prevention measures, monitoring and fighting AIDS;
information provision and educational activities;
improving access to health services and treatment for the sick;
the rehabilitation of drug addicts.

Trade cooperation aims at the expansion of trade and the opening up of markets. It takes place in compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. The partners therefore need to make progress towards removing trade barriers and resolving transit or re-export issues. They must improve customs cooperation and information sharing.

Moreover, the country must make progress in its undertakings as regards the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights.

Economic cooperation aims particularly at:

facilitating contacts between economic operators, business communities, enterprises and investors;
improving the business environment and conditions for investment, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises;
promoting technology transfer.

The agreement enshrines the principle of reciprocal access by the partners to their respective public works contracts. They apply the principle of free access to international maritime transport contracts.

In the area of the environment, cooperation must make it possible in particular to:

reduce the risks of natural disasters, and combat soil degradation in particular;
develop environmental policy and workers’ training;
promote sustainable and non-polluting energies.

The partners share knowledge in the field of science and technology. They cooperate in combating the production of drugs and money laundering.

A key point of the partnership is the development of workers’ rights and skills. International Labour Organization (ILO) instruments are to be implemented (in the areas of child labour, forced labour, freedom of association, trade union rights, etc.). Furthermore, measures are to be taken to foster education and vocational qualifications, particularly for the poorest population sectors.

Regional cooperation

Cooperation actions may be undertaken with other countries in the region, as a priority in the fields of:

technical assistance and workers’ training;
the promotion of intra-regional trade;
support for regional cooperation organisations (such as the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC));
examining questions with a regional dimension, particularly in the sectors of transport, communications, the environment and health.

Protection of farmed animals

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Protection of farmed animals

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Protection of farmed animals

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Food safety > Animal welfare

Protection of farmed animals

Document or Iniciative

Council Directive 98/58/EC of 20 July 1998 concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes [See amending act(s)].

Summary

All the Member States have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes, the main provisions of which relate to the provision of housing, feed and care appropriate to the needs of these animals.

Member States must take account of these animal welfare requirements when drawing up and implementing European legislation, especially in the area of agricultural policy.

Animals

This Directive applies to animals (including fish, reptiles and amphibians) reared or kept for the production of food, wool, skin or fur or for other farming purposes. It does not apply to:

wild animals;
animals intended for use in sporting or cultural events (shows);
experimental or laboratory animals;
invertebrate animals.

Rearing conditions

The Member States must adopt provisions to ensure that the owners or keepers of animals look after the welfare of their animals and see that they are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury. Based on past experience and present scientific knowledge, the rearing conditions relate to the following:

staff: animals must be looked after by a sufficient number of staff who have the appropriate professional skills, knowledge and competence;
inspections: all animals kept in husbandry systems must be inspected at least once a day. Injured or ill animals must be treated immediately and isolated if necessary in suitable premises;
maintaining records: the owner or keeper of the animals must keep a record of any medical treatment for at least three years;
freedom of movement: all animals, even if tethered, chained or confined, must be given enough space to move without unnecessary suffering or injury;
buildings and accommodation: materials used in the construction of buildings must be capable of being cleaned and disinfected. Air circulation, dust levels, temperature and relative humidity should be kept within acceptable limits. Animals kept in buildings must not be kept in permanent darkness or constantly exposed to artificial lighting;
automatic or mechanical equipment: automatic or mechanical equipment essential for the health and well-being of the animals must be inspected at least once a day. Where an artificial ventilation system is in use, an appropriate backup system must be in place to guarantee sufficient air renewal;
feed, water and other substances: the animals must be given a wholesome and appropriate diet, fed to them in sufficient quantities and at regular intervals. All other substances are prohibited, unless given for therapeutic or prophylactic reasons or for the purposes of zootechnical treatment. In addition, the feeding and watering equipment must minimise the risks of contamination;
mutilations: national rules on mutilation apply;
rearing methods: rearing methods that cause suffering or injury must not be used unless their impact is minimal, brief or expressly allowed by the national authorities. No animal should be kept on a farm if it is harmful to its health or welfare.

Inspections

Member States must take the necessary steps to ensure that the competent national authorities carry out inspections. They must report on these inspections to the Commission, which will use the reports to formulate proposals on harmonising inspections.

Evaluation and implementation

Every five years the Commission must report to the Council on the implementation of this Directive, with proposals for improvement, if appropriate. The Council adopts this report by qualified majority vote.

The Member States had to introduce the legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions (including any penalties) needed to comply with this Directive by 31 December 1999. They are allowed to keep or introduce stricter provisions.

References

Act	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Directive 98/58/EC	8.8.1998	31.12.1999	OJ L 221 of 8.8.1998

Amending act(s)	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 806/2003	5.6.2003	–	OJ L 122 of 16.5.2003

Amending act(s)

Entry into force

Deadline for transposition in the Member States

Official Journal

Regulation (EC) No

806/2003

5.6.2003

–

OJ L 122 of 16.5.2003

The successive amendments and corrections to Directive 98/58/EC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated versionis for reference only.

Related Acts

Report from the Commission of 19 December 2006 on the experience acquired on the implementation of Directive 98/58/EC on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes [COM(2006) 838 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

In this report the Commission refers to the need for Member States to improve the planning and performance of inspections and the recording and transparency of inspection results. It emphasises the necessity of more training for the staff of the authorities concerned and a better notification system. It is also important to simplify procedures in order to avoid excessive bureaucracy.

Commission Decision 2006/778/EC of 14 November 2006 concerning minimum requirements for the collection of information during the inspections of production sites on which certain animals are kept for farming purposes [Official Journal L 314 of 15.11.2006].

Commission Decision 2000/50/EC of 17 December 1999 concerning minimum requirements for the inspection of holdings on which animals are kept for farming purposes [Official Journal L 19 of 25.01.2000].

Monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents

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Monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Food safety > Animal health

Monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents

Document or Iniciative

Directive 2003/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 on the monitoring of zoonoses and zoonotic agents, amending Council Decision 90/424/EEC and repealing Council Directive 92/117/EEC [See amending act(s)].

Summary

The European Union is stepping up monitoring of zoonoses *, zoonotic agents * and related antimicrobial resistance. It has laid down minimum requirements applicable in the Member States to reinforce their existing monitoring systems, through which they collect, analyse and disseminate data on these phenomena with a view to identifying and characterising hazards, assessing exposure and defining the associated risks.

Increased monitoring of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance

The Member States are responsible for establishing and maintaining monitoring systems. Monitoring is at the level of primary production * or other stages of the food chain, including in feed and food.

As a priority, the monitoring concerns the following zoonoses: brucellosis, campylobacteriosis, echinococcosis, listeriosis, salmonellosis, trichinellosis, tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis, verotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

The monitoring also concerns, depending on the epidemiological situation, viral zoonoses (calicivirus, hepatitis A virus, influenza virus, rabies, viruses transmitted by arthropods), bacterial zoonoses (borreliosis, botulism, leptospirosis, psittacosis, tuberculosis other than that specified above, vibriosis, yersiniosis and agents thereof), parasitic zoonoses (anisakiasis, cryptosporidiosis, cysticercosis and toxoplasmosis), etc.

The monitoring methods specify:

the animal population or subpopulations and stages in the food chain to be covered by monitoring;
the nature and type of data to be collected;
sampling schemes and the methods of analysis to be used;
frequency of reporting of diseases or risks.

In some cases, data collected through routine monitoring are insufficient. Coordinated monitoring programmes for one or more zoonoses may prove necessary in order to assess specific risks or establish base-line values.

Member States are responsible for ensuring that monitoring provides comparable data on the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic and, where necessary, other important agents. Resistance means the ability of a microorganism to survive or to grow in a given concentration of an antimicrobial agent that is usually sufficient to inhibit or kill microorganisms of that species. Monitoring of antimicrobial resistance will supplement the monitoring of human isolates conducted in accordance with Decision No 2119/98/EC setting up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community.

Investigating food-borne outbreaks

The competent authorities in the Member States will investigate food-borne outbreaks, gathering data on the epidemiological profile, the foodstuffs potentially implicated and the potential causes. The competent authorities will submit an annual report to the Commission on the results of the investigations, which will be forwarded to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Facilitating information exchange

The exchange of information is necessary to obtain exhaustive and comparable data at European level. In each Member State one or more competent authorities cooperate with the authorities responsible for animal health, feed and food hygiene. Community and national reference laboratories are also designated.

Member States will assess trends and sources of zoonoses, zoonotic agents and antimicrobial resistance and submit a report to the Commission by the end of May each year. The Commission will forward these reports to the EFSA, which will examine them and publish a summary report by the end of November each year.

Key terms of the Act
Zoonosis: any disease and/or infection which is naturally transmissible directly or indirectly between animals and humans. Zoonotic agent: any virus, bacterium, fungus, parasite or other biological entity which is likely to cause a zoonosis. Primary production: the production, breeding or cultivation of primary products, including the rearing, processing and production of farm animals before slaughter. It also covers the hunting, fishing and harvesting of wild products.

Key terms of the Act

Zoonosis: any disease and/or infection which is naturally transmissible directly or indirectly between animals and humans.
Zoonotic agent: any virus, bacterium, fungus, parasite or other biological entity which is likely to cause a zoonosis.
Primary production: the production, breeding or cultivation of primary products, including the rearing, processing and production of farm animals before slaughter. It also covers the hunting, fishing and harvesting of wild products.

References

Act	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Directive 2003/99/EC	12.12.2003	12.04.2004	OJ L 325, 12.12.2003

Amending act(s)	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Directive 2006/104/EC	1.1.2007	1.1.2007	OJ L 363, 20.12.2006
Regulation (EC) No 219/2009	20.4.2009	–	OJ L 87, 31.3.2009

The successive amendments and corrections to Directive 2003/99/EC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated versionis of documentary value only.

Related Acts

Commission Decision 2007/407/EC of 12 June 2007 on a harmonised monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella in poultry and pigs [Official Journal L 153 of 14.6.2007].

Commission Decision 2004/564/EC of 20 July 2004 concerning Community reference laboratories for the epidemiology of zoonoses and for salmonella and national reference laboratories for salmonella [Official Journal L 251 of 27.72004].

Cooperation and dialogue between the EU, Africa and China

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Cooperation and dialogue between the EU, Africa and China

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Cooperation and dialogue between the EU, Africa and China

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Development > African Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP)

Cooperation and dialogue between the EU, Africa and China

Document or Iniciative

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 17 October 2008 entitled The EU, Africa and China: Towards trilateral dialogue and cooperation [COM(2008) 654 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

The Commission proposes a new tripartite approach to reinforce cooperation and dialogue between the European Union (EU), Africa and China. The Commission recognises that adding to bilateral partnerships in order to promote the stable and sustainable development of Africa is of mutual interest.

The EU, Africa and China should base this cooperation on common objectives, which are defined progressively and consistent with national and regional development strategies.

This new approach should lead to joint working on questions of development and increasing the effectiveness of aid. Sharing experience and good practice should contribute to this aim, in particular with regard to financial instruments, Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Firstly, the partnership could concentrate on five priority objectives:

reinforcing security and support for peace-keeping operations;
developing affordable and sustainable infrastructures to reinforce interconnectivity and regional integration. The EU-Africa partnership for infrastructures (FR) could contribute to this objective;
protection of the environment and management of natural resources within a context of economic and commercial growth. The Commission proposes to cooperate with the African Union (AU) and African countries in order to promote sustainable management, technology transfers and investments;
the increase in agricultural production, the quality of production and food security, in particular with a view to meeting the objectives of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (FR).

The tripartite partnership is an extension of bilateral political dialogues between the African Union (AU), the EU and China, as well as dialogue between the EU and China. The partnership will be based on regular strategic dialogue as well as specific consultations.

The Commission proposes to establish a network of exchange and information between the competent national and regional authorities. Organising an annual coordination meeting of development partners should contribute to the evaluation of priorities for cooperation whilst integrating the initiatives of international organisations, funding providers and civil society.

Context

During the summit held in Lisbon in 2007, the heads of state and government of the EU and African countries adopted a new joint strategic partnership. This strategy provides a global framework for strengthening relations between the EU and Africa and an action plan for the period 2008-2010. The EU is the largest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the first commercial partner for Africa. This partnership also aims to establish synergies with other partners and international funding providers.

Cooperation between China and Africa is mainly directed at commercial exchange, investment, infrastructure projects and aid in social domains and training. This partnership was reinforced by the adoption of a new strategy in 2006 during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Their respective methods for cooperation contribute to meeting the objectives of the partnership for development (MDGs) and the integration of Africa into the world economy.

Phare Programme

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Phare Programme

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Phare Programme

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Enlargement > Enlargement 2004 and 2007

Phare Programme

The Programme of Community aid to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (Phare) is the main financial instrument of the pre-accession strategy for the Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) which have applied for membership of the European Union. Since 1994, Phare’s tasks have been adapted to the priorities and needs of each CEEC. The revamped Phare programme, with a budget of over EUR 10 billion for the period 2000-2006 (about 1.5 billion per year), has two main priorities, namely institutional and capacity-building and investment financing. Although the Phare programme was originally reserved for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, it is set to be extended to the applicant countries of the western Balkans.

Document or Iniciative

Council Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 of 18 December 1989 on economic aid to the Republic of Hungary and the Polish People’s Republic [See amending acts].

Summary

The Phare programme, as a pre-accession instrument, is the main channel for the European Community’s financial and technical cooperation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs). Its activities concentrate on two priorities:

helping the administrations of the candidate countries to acquire the capacity to implement the Community acquis. Phare also helps the national and regional administrations, as well as regulatory and supervisory bodies, in the candidate countries to familiarise themselves with Community objectives and procedures;
helping the candidate countries to bring their industries and basic infrastructure up to Community standards by mobilising the investment required, particularly in areas where Community rules are increasingly demanding: environment, transport, industry, product quality, working conditions etc.

From 2000, Phare’s management methods were revamped with a view to:

concentrating projects on the acquis implementation priorities programmed by the accession partnerships;
improving budgetary implementation;
radically increasing the size of projects;
continuing the decentralisation of management to the recipient countries.

Financing systems

Phare’s assistance generally takes the form of grants rather than loans. The aid is granted by the Community, either independently or in the form of co-financing with the Member States, the European Investment Bank, third countries or other bodies in the recipient countries themselves.

In line with the Agenda 2000 recommendations, Phare has gradually changed into a structural fund designed to encourage economic development. Much of the investment involved is co-financed by other institutions such as the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Programming

Although originally programmed on an annual basis, Phare is now based on a system of multi-annual programming.

As part of the pre-accession strategy, the basic programming instrument is the accession partnership which is drawn up for each country and sets out priorities and intermediate objectives and the financial resources needed to achieve them. Each country’s partnership is supplemented by its own national programme for the adoption of the acquis (NPAA).

The accession partnerships provide the basis for programming Phare national programmes and cross-border co-operation programmes.

Phare may include multi-country projects if there is justification for such an approach in order to achieve economies of scale, promote regional cooperation or ensure that certain sharing arrangements are applied in areas such as justice and home affairs.

Procedure

The Phare implementing rules are based on the provisions of the basic regulation and the Community’s Financial Regulation and on procedures created specially for the Phare programme.

The Commission is assisted by a management committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. A representative of the European Investment Bank (EIB) also takes part in the work of the management committee.

Implementation of national programmes is decentralised, i.e. the candidate countries are themselves responsible in as far as this is authorised by the Community’s Financial Regulation. The Commission monitors implementation jointly with the candidate countries.

Background

Originally set up in 1989 to support the process of reform and economic and political transition in Poland and Hungary, Phare became the financial instrument of the pre-accession strategy leading ultimately to the accession to the EU of the ten associated Central and Eastern European countries following the Essen European Council in December 1994.

In the initial stages of the transition, the programme focused on providing know-how and technical assistance and, where necessary, humanitarian aid. As progress was made, the demand for technical assistance declined in relative terms and the need for investment aid, particularly in areas such as infrastructure and environmental protection, increased considerably.

Following the publication of Agenda 2000 and the stepping-up of the enlargement process which ensued, Phare was redirected towards preparing the candidate countries for accession and was complemented by two other instruments: the Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession (ISPA) and the Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (SAPARD). These instruments, which were set up for the period 2000-2006, will be replaced by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) for the period 2007-2013.

The candidate countries that have benefited from Phare are Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Turkey receives specific pre-accession assistance under Regulation (EC) No 2500/2001, which will also be replaced by the IPA.

References

Act	Entry into force – Date of expiry	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EEC) No 3960/89	26.12.1989-31.12.2006	–	OJ L 375 of 23.12.1989

Amending act(s)	Entry into force	Deadline for transposition in the Member States	Official Journal
Regulation (EEC) No 2698/90	24.9.1990	–	OJ L 257 of 21.9.1990
Regulation (EEC) No 3800/91	31.12.1991	–	OJ L 357 of 28.12.1991
Regulation (EEC) No 2334/92	14.8.1992	–	OJ L 227 of 11.8.1992
Regulation (EEC) No 1764/93	3.7.1993	–	OJ L 162 of 3.7.1993
Regulation (EC) No 1366/95	20.6.1995	–	OJ L 133 of 17.6.1995
Regulation (EC) No 463/96	18.3.1996	–	OJ L 65 of 15.3.1996
Regulation (EC) No 753/96	29.4.1996	–	OJ L 103 of 26.4.1996
Regulation (EC) No 1266/1999	29.6.1999	–	OJ L 161 of 26.6.1999
Regulation (EC) No 2666/2000	7.12.2000	–	OJ L 306 of 7.12.2000
Regulation (EC) No 2500/2001	10.9.2002	–	OJ L 342 of 27.12.2001
Regulation (EC) No 769/2004	30.4.2004	–	OJ L 123 of 27.4.2004
Regulation (EC) No 2257/2004	2.1.2005	–	OJ L 389 of 30.12.2004

Related Acts

Report from the Commission of 12 January 2007 entitled “2005 Report on Phare, pre-accession and transition instruments” [COM(2007) 3 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

This report takes stock of pre-accession financial assistance in 2005, namely Phare, ISPA and SAPARD, of which Bulgaria and Romania are the remaining beneficiary countries, and the specific pre-accession assistance to Turkey. The Phare, ISPA and SAPARD programmes were extended to Croatia. Financial commitments in 2005 were divided as follows:

Phare: EUR 1178.96 million, comprising EUR 921 million for national programmes, EUR 80 million for cross-border co-operation, EUR 84.75 million for regional and horizontal programmes, EUR 6.31 million for nuclear safety, EUR 50 million for the decommissioning of the Kozloduy power plant in Bulgaria and EUR 36.9 million in additional allocations following the flooding in Bulgaria and Romania;
Pre-accession assistance – Turkey: EUR 277.7 million;

Transition Facility (temporary pre-accession financing under Article 34 of the Act of Accession for the ten Member States that joined in 2004): EUR 128.1 million.

In the run-up to accession, the candidate countries gradually prepare for the decentralised management of structural funds under the extended decentralisation system (“EDIS”). This decentralisation is part of the management of pre-accession aid. Accordingly, Bulgaria and Romania received increased assistance from the Commission to smooth the transfer of greater responsibility to the national authorities for the management and implementation of Phare programmes in the run-up to accession. Croatia is managing Phare funds under a partly decentralised implementation system (DIS), and Turkey too aims to move over to EDIS in 2007.

The 2005 report also addresses programmes co-financed with the international financial institutions (IFI), which primarily concern the Phare finance facilities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and municipalities. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is continuing to implement a scheme set up with the Commission to foster the integration of candidate countries’ cross-border regions.

Report from the Commission of 23 December 2005 entitled “2004 Report on Phare, pre-accession and transition instruments” [COM(2005) 701 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
This report takes stock of pre-accession financial assistance in 2004, namely Phare, ISPA and SAPARD, of which Bulgaria and Romania are the remaining beneficiary countries, and the specific pre-accession assistance to Turkey. It also examines the assistance granted to the ten new Member States, which can no longer benefit from the pre-accession instruments, namely the Transition Facility. This is provided for under the 2003 Accession Treaty for the period 2004-2006. Financial commitments in 2004 were divided as follows:

Phare: EUR 757.7 million, comprising EUR 577.8 million for national programmes, EUR 85 million for nuclear decommissioning, EUR 64 million for cross-border co-operation and EUR 28.4 million for multi-country and horizontal programmes. The remaining EUR 2.5 million cover commitments to the European Training Foundation;

Pre-accession assistance – Turkey: EUR 245.9 million;
Transition Facility: EUR 189.6 million.

The 2004 Commission report also discusses assistance for the northern part of Cyprus and the co-financing of programmes with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs). The report gives an account of Phare programming in the light of cross-border co-operation alignment with INTERREG, the common approach to nuclear safety and the transition to the Extended Decentralisation Implementation System (EDIS) for programme management.

Report from the Commission of 1 March 2005 entitled “2003 Report on Phare and the pre-accession instruments for Cyprus, Malta and Turkey” [COM(2005) 64 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
The Commission assesses the progress of Phare in the ten beneficiary countries and the pre-accession instruments for Cyprus, Malta and Turkey. This report is accompanied by a technical paper containing sections on the programming and implementation of the Phare programme in each of the 13 beneficiary countries. In 2003, Phare commitments totalled EUR 1 699 million, made up of EUR 1 223 million for national programmes, EUR 161 million for cross-border co-operation, EUR 187 million for regional and horizontal programmes and EUR 128 million for nuclear safety.

Report from the Commission of 11 November 2003 entitled “2002 Report on Phare and the pre-accession instruments for Cyprus, Malta and Turkey” [COM(2005) 497 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
Between 2000 and 2002 Phare provided EUR 5 billion for investment support and institutional capacity-building in the beneficiary countries. The instruments used for this were twinning (seconding of experts to the candidate countries to help them implement Community legislation) and technical assistance. In 2002 Phare commitments totalled EUR 1 699 million, including EUR 1 168 million for national programmes, EUR 163 million for cross-border co-operation, EUR 260 million for regional and horizontal programmes and EUR 108 million for nuclear safety. The same year, pre-accession aid programmes for Cyprus, Malta and Turkey totalled EUR 168 million comprising EUR 10 million for Malta, EUR 12 million for Cyprus and EUR 146 million for Turkey.
The European Commission has continued to transfer responsibility for the management and implementation of Phare programmes to the authorities in the candidate countries. The same applied to pre-accession aid for Malta and Cyprus. The purpose of this transfer is to prepare the future Member States for the decentralised approach to programme management established under the Structural Funds.

Special Report No 5/2003 concerning PHARE and ISPA funding of environmental projects in the candidate countries together with the Commission’s replies [Official Journal C 167 of 17.7.2003].

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – General report on pre-accession assistance (PHARE – ISPA – SAPARD) in 2005 [COM/2006/746 final – Not published in the Official Journal]

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – General report on pre-accession assistance (PHARE – ISPA – SAPARD) in 2004 [COM(2006) 137 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – General Report on pre-accession assistance (PHARE – ISPA – SAPARD) in 2003 [COM/2005/178 final – Not published in the Official Journal]

Report from the Commission – General report on pre-accession assistance (PHARE – ISPA – SAPARD) in 2002 [COM(2003) 844 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Report from the Commission – General report on pre-accession assistance (PHARE – ISPA – SAPARD) in 2001 [COM(2003) 329 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Report from the Commission – General report on pre-accession assistance (PHARE – ISPA – SAPARD) in 2000 [COM(2002)781 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Annual Report 2001 from the Commission of 3 March 2003 on the Phare programme [Report COM(2003) 97 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
For the period 200-2006, the programme provides some EUR 11 billion to support institution building through twinning and technical assistance and to support investment. In 2001 Phare commitments totalled EUR 1 641 million, including EUR 1 091 million for national programmes, EUR 163 million for cross-border co-operation, EUR 219 million for regional and horizontal programmes and EUR 168 million for nuclear safety. The programme stepped up support for the institutions of the recipient countries responsible for implementing the acquis on entry into the Union. In 2001, EUR 111.6 million were committed under Phare for the participation of the ten CEECs in Community programmes and EUR 2.15 million for their participation in the European Environment Agency.
From the point of view of programme management, the decentralisation process geared towards enhancing the ability of the CEECs to manage Community aid continued in 2001.

Commission Decision of 13 October 1999 on guidelines for Phare programme implementation in candidate countries for the period 2000-2006 in application of Article 8 of Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 [SEC(1999) 1596 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
This decision lays down the main guidelines for Phare in the period in question. The Phare programme will focus on two main priorities:

Institutional capacity-building:
Investment.

The Commission sees twinning as the main instrument for building institutional capacity. Specific actions are also to be implemented concerning the participation of the candidate countries in Community programmes and in Community agencies and the adoption of civil society measures to safeguard and develop the democratic process. Support for investment will focus on two main priorities – the candidate countries’ alignment with EU norms and standards and investment in economic and social areas, including the effects of restructuring in important sectors of the economy. Lastly, the Commission Decision establishes the mechanisms and procedures for implementing the Phare programme, which will be based mainly on decentralisation (to be further extended) and Commission supervision (through its Delegations).The guidelines laid down by this Decision will be reviewed before the end of 2002 and may be adapted to take account of any developments in the accession process.

This summary is for information only and is not designed to interpret or replace the reference document.

Inland navigation: harmonisation of conditions for obtaining national boatmasters' certificates

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Inland navigation: harmonisation of conditions for obtaining national boatmasters’ certificates

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Inland navigation: harmonisation of conditions for obtaining national boatmasters’ certificates

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Transport > Waterborne transport

Inland navigation: harmonisation of conditions for obtaining national boatmasters’ certificates

Last updated: 24.01.2007

Iris

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Iris

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Iris

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Education training youth sport > Vocational training

Iris

1) Objective

To increase women’s awareness by making known what training is available and to promote their training by helping to develop strategies and methods.

2) Community Measures

IRIS programme, European network of training for women launched in December 1988.

3) Contents

Beneficiaries

All women prepared to follow a training programme helping them to retrain and get back to work.

Operating method

The network is run by CREW (Centre for Research on European Women). The IRIS network comprises 333 programmes throughout the Member States. The Member States are involved in defining strategies for developing the network via the IRIS working party which meets twice a year.

Description of activities

The 333 programmes are aimed at improving women’s access to public and private employment and to vocational training, increasing the number of women working in non-traditional sectors and training women to create businesses. The overwhelming majority of the programmes are aimed at long-term unemployed women trying to get back to work and young women without qualifications. Approximately 36% of the programmes train women in new technologies and 40% of the programmes are co-funded by the European Social Fund. The IRIS inventory supplies detailed information on the programmes. The selection criteria for the projects are being amended in 1991

Communications support:

a database containing the projects and women’s training programmes in the Member States;
an IRIS information bulletin published four times a year;
an inventory of training programmes in nine languages and updated annually.

Main activities

Four seminars were held in 1990 on in-house training and creation of businesses by women. Evaluation symposia took place in each Member State to discuss national policies and to propose recommendations. Information meetings are organized in cooperation with the members of the working party as are interprogramme exchange visits.

4) Deadline For Implementation Of The Legislation In The Member States

Not applicable.

5) Date Of Entry Into Force (If Different From The Above)

6) References

7) Follow-Up Work

8) Commission Implementing Measures

Transport and the environment

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Transport and the environment

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Transport and the environment

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Transport > Transport energy and the environment

Transport and the environment

Document or Iniciative

Council report of 6 October 1999 to the European Council of Helsinki on the strategy on the integration of environment and sustainable development into transport policy.

Summary

This Council strategy defines the objectives of action by the European Union (EU) and the Member States to minimise the environmental impact of transport. It aims to ensure that environmental questions are taken into account when drawing up and implementing transport policy in the sectors concerned.

The strategy recognises the positive results of certain measures already taken at EU level, but underlines that further progress is required in the following areas:

avoidance and/or elimination of the negative effects of traffic growth, particularly through land use measures and infrastructure charging;
promotion of public transport, inter modal and combined transport and environmentally less harmful modes (e.g. railways and inland waterway);
further research and technological development, in particular to reduce CO2 emissions and noise;
raising of awareness among the public, vehicle drivers and the industry of how to reduce the environmental impact of transport, e.g. through indicators and vehicle standardisation.

The strategy calls on Member States to take these measures at national level and within the framework of international organisations. The Commission is invited to gather and disseminate information (including indicators) in these areas, present proposals on pricing and emission standards and encourage the transport sector in various ways.

A number of measures preceded and followed this strategy in various transport sectors: road, rail, maritime and air transport.

Infrastructure charging

It is possible to make users bear certain environmental costs resulting from their use of transport, particularly where they use transport infrastructures (“polluter pays” principle). This taking account of external environmental costs in infrastructure charging is authorised by two sectoral Directives. There is, however, no common legislative framework for all transport modes that would propose a common methodology and timetable in order to avoid distortions of competition.

As regards the transport of goods by road, Directive 1999/62/EC provides a common framework for fixing user charges for motorway infrastructures or those with similar characteristics. The Directive does not provide for charging for environmental costs in addition to the infrastructure cost per se. It does however allow charges to be varied to take account of levels of pollution from heavy goods vehicles and the time of day. The proposed revision of this Directive will be adopted soon and will allow Member States to apply tolls and user charges on all other roads. The principal changes are as follows:

application of the Directive to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes from 2012, where currently it applies only to vehicles over 12 tonnes;
greater scope for varying tolls on the basis of environmental criteria (to encourage the use of cleaner vehicles) and time of day (to discourage traffic during peak hours and thus reduce jams);
variation of tolls on the basis of vehicle emission classes will be compulsory after 2010, with possible derogations;
possibility of introducing a increased toll on certain trans-European corridors in mountain areas to allow cross-financing of alternative transport infrastructures.

For rail transport, Directive 2001/14/EC allows the variation of charges on the basis of revenue neutrality but does not make it compulsory to charge for environmental costs in addition to infrastructure costs and these are not charged to the railway operators. Few infrastructure managers apply such variation in practice.

Proposals concerning charging for port and airport infrastructures, as well as a framework communication, are contained in the Commission work programme for 2006.

Road transport

The adoption since 1970 of a number of Directives relating to emissions from motor vehicles, whether light vehicles (cars, light commercial vehicles) or heavy vehicles (lorries, buses) has had the effect of gradually reducing emissions of gases and particles as well as, to some extent, the noise from the vehicles used. The reductions in atmospheric emissions laid down by EURO I to V concern four main pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particles and hydrocarbons.

As regards CO2, the Community objective is to achieve an average emission level from new vehicles of 120 g CO2/km. Europe has a three-pronged approach in this connection:

voluntary commitments by the automobile industry under which European (ACEA), Japanese (JAMA) and Korean (KAMA) car makers have undertaken to reduce average emissions from new vehicles by 25% between 1995 and 2008-2009 (from 186 g CO2/km in 1995 to 140 g CO2/km in 2008-2009). Compliance with these commitments is the subject of annual reports by the Commission;
better information for consumers on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions;
introduction of fiscal measures to promote the purchase of less polluting vehicles.

Moreover, the standards relating to transport fuel quality have been significantly improved, in particular as regards their sulphur content. The EU has also established an indicative percentage of biofuels to replace diesel or petrol for transport purposes in each Member State (2% in 2005 and 5.75% in 2010).

Directive 1999/30/EC lays down limit values for NOx, SO2, particles and lead and alert thresholds for SO2 and NOx in ambient air. Member States must ensure that up-to-date information on the concentrations of these substances is regularly made available to the public. The limit values for NOx were due to be reached in 2001, those concerning SO2 and the EU10 in 2005 and those concerning NO2 and lead in 2010.

Non-road land transport

Polluting emissions from railway transport are regulated by the Directive on non-road mobile machinery.

Under Directive 96/48/EC on the interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail system, the technical specifications for interoperability (TSI) on high-speed rolling stock lay down noise limits. Following its amendment in 2004, Directive 2001/16/EC does the same for the trans-European conventional rail system.

Maritime and inland waterway transport

The EU has adopted a strategy to reduce the atmospheric emissions of seagoing ships. It has also put in place a raft of measures on maritime safety in order to prevent further ecological disasters like the Erika or Prestige. These measures concern among other things the prevention of pollution caused by ships, mechanisms for cooperation in the event of marine pollution and the possibility of criminal sanctions against those responsible for marine pollution.

Polluting emissions from inland waterway vessels are regulated by the Directive on non-road mobile machinery.

Air transport

In a communication on air transport and the environment, the Commission identified the pillars of a strategy for incorporating environmental concerns in air transport policy: improving technical environmental standards relating to noise and atmospheric emissions; strengthening economic incentives; helping airports in their environmental efforts; promoting research and development in the long term.

As regards noise, the EU has adopted rules on noise management in Community airports. These rules are based in particular on decisions taken within the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). They include a ban on access to European airports for the noisiest aircraft and aircraft construction standards.

In its communication on aviation and climate change, the Commission weighs up the options for reducing the impact of the aviation sector on climate change. Apart from pursuing the possibilities available in relation to research, air traffic management and energy taxation, it also proposes to incorporate the air transport sector into the Community greenhouse gas emissions trading system.

Transport and noise

Under Directive 2002/49/EC, Member States have to map ambient noise levels from major transport infrastructures and urban transport in agglomerations. They must also draw up ambient noise management plans aimed at reducing harmful exposure and protecting quiet areas. Community legislation does not define limit values for ambient noise and leaves Member States and the competent authorities in question to decide how to protect against noise.

Context

The growth in vehicle numbers and use is a threat to the environment and the health of European citizens.

The European Environment Agency measures, analyses and, under the TERM (Transport & Environment Reporting Mechanism), regularly reports on the environmental impact of transport. The Agency underlines the risks of the EU failing to meet its commitments under the Kyoto protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The thematic strategy on atmospheric pollution fixes targets for the reduction of certain pollutants and reinforces the legislative framework to combat atmospheric pollution using a two-pronged approach: improving Community environmental legislation and including air quality considerations in related policies. As provided for in the strategy, the Commission has proposed a new “EURO V” standard to reduce polluting emissions from light motor vehicles and in particular reduce emissions from vehicles with diesel engines by 80%. The strategy also envisages a number of measures to reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx from ships (these emissions are forecast to exceed emissions from land sources by 2020).

The proposal for a Directive on energy end use efficiency and energy services underlines the important role of fuels and the transport sector in relation to energy efficiency and energy saving. It lays down a number of measures to this end.

The thematic strategy on the urban environment underlines the need to introduce plans for the sustainable urban transport of persons and goods, including environmental requirements, and linked to policies on optimum land use. It announces the distribution by the Commission of a practical guide for urban authorities to help them introduce such plans and disseminate good practice.

The formulation of this strategy was requested by the Vienna European Council (December 1998). There were calls for other strategies in the various sectors of Community action at that European Council and the Cologne European Council (June 1999). The European Council in Cardiff (June 1998) laid the foundations for coordinated action at Community level on the integration of environmental requirements in European Union policies.

Related Acts

Decision No 1753/2000/EC

of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 2000 establishing a scheme to monitor the average specific emissions of CO2 from new passenger cars [Official Journal L 202, 10.8.2000].

Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, of 31 March 1998, on Transport and CO2: developing a Community approach [

COM(98) 204

– Not published in the Official Journal].

Preparing for an influenza pandemic and other health threats

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Preparing for an influenza pandemic and other health threats

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Preparing for an influenza pandemic and other health threats

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Public health > Threats to health

Preparing for an influenza pandemic and other health threats

Acts

Commission Communication of 28 November 2005 on strengthening coordination on generic preparedness planning for public health emergencies at EU level [COM(2005) 605 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Communication of 28 November 2005 on pandemic influenza preparedness and response planning in the European Community [COM(2005) 607 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

PREPARING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES AT EU LEVEL

Purpose and scope

The general objective of the Commission communication on European coordination in the event of health emergencies is to help the Member States to draw up generic plans for all sorts of public health emergencies with the European dimension in mind. The communication and technical guidance document give the Member States a basis for devising their own general or specific plans and outline the main elements to be taken into consideration in preparing for public health emergencies.

With a view to formulating national emergency plans in the public health sphere, the Commission describes the measures which should be incorporated or taken into account in the plans for each of the following essential elements: information management, communication, scientific advice, liaison and command and control structures, preparedness of the health sector and inter-sectoral preparedness.

Information management

Information management entails the gathering, processing, use and dissemination of

information relating to an emergency, in order to identify the hazards and risks, monitor the
evolution of the emergency and determine the assets and resources available.

It is necessary to organise appropriate health surveillance at Member State level before an event occurs. To this end, surveillance standards in the different areas must be comprehensive and rigorously applied. Moreover, it is important to have collaboration with and between various sources of information (both within the public health sector and outside it, including the media, veterinary services and security services).

Communication

Information management entails the distribution of accurate and timely information. The infrastructure that is put in place must therefore be as robust as possible, so as to preserve communication channels even in emergencies when some forms of communication may be incapacitated.

Public authorities should communicate effectively with the public and the media in anticipation of events that may lead to public health emergencies, establishing themselves as the leading, if not the only, source of authoritative information about the event and its consequences.

Coordination is paramount for the transmission of accurate and coherent messages to the public. The Member States, the Commission and the competent EU agencies must strive to coordinate their crisis communications in the best possible way.

Scientific advice

Management of an emergency necessarily involves the preparation and delivery of scientific advice, covering two elements:

the creation, at all levels and in all areas, of structures such as expert groups or committees;
rapid consultation on the scientific and technical basis for assessing and examining risks so as to make clear the options for response.

At Community level, mechanisms and structures for providing scientific advice have been set up in different sectors:

the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC);
the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA);
the Joint research Centre (JRC);
the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA);
the European Environment Agency (EEA);
the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA);
the European Agency for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA).

In the area of communicable diseases, a coordinated real-time forecast modelling capability is being set up at EU level. This will help to identify the most appropriate ways of countering the spread of disease and agents, and to assist authorities by informing public health policy and forward planning.

Liaison and command and control structures

Command and control encompasses all planning and response functions and operations. In particular, command and control structures are required to arrest the spread of disease or contamination among the population and in the environment.

The requirements for effective command and control include:

knowledge of the situation in terms of casualties and resources;
response and communications coordination;
information analysis and management.

Command and control structures help those in charge to operate effectively, despite the complexity of the situation (uncertainty, conflicting or incomplete information, etc.). In this connection, simulation can provide a valuable tool for tackling the complexity and anticipating the outcome.

Command and control centres in the Member States need to have good systems for liasing with other Member States, the Commission, Community agencies and international organisations, in particular the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Community has many liaison systems, most of which are geared to early warning and rapid alert. Notification of a health threat through the early warning and response system or the Community rapid alert system for biological, chemical and radio-nuclear attacks and threats may lead to the recognition of a public health emergency and to the activation of appropriate liaison and coordination structures at EU level and within the Commission. Furthermore, the Commission has set up the ARGUS system, which interlinks all the Community rapid alert systems, and a crisis centre with appropriate coordinating structures.

Preparedness of the health sector

Health sector preparedness covers several aspects:

exchange of information between Member States on the national planning principles (including sharing of information on planned activities and assistance);
pooling of resources for epidemiological and laboratory investigations;
strengthening of procedures for transferring patients from one Member State to another;
introduction of isolation procedures;
development of new medicinal products and medical services. In this area, an EU-wide effort is needed to guarantee equitable access to essential medicinal products and to ensure the provision of adequate reserve supplies. A Community strategy for the development and production of priority medicinal products to counter the main health threats is also necessary. The Community has already taken a series of initiatives to ensure the availability of antivirals and vaccines in the event of an influenza pandemic.

Preparedness in other sectors and inter-sectorally

The mechanisms required to deal with public health emergencies beyond the health sector work in two ways, serving to:

assist the public health authorities in medical interventions;
perform activities which fall mainly within the responsibility of sectors other than public health (logistics, decontamination, transport, telecommunications, civil protection and civil defence operations, maintenance of public order, etc.).

The application of certain measures will require the intervention of authorities other than health services and will therefore entail coordination between them.

The preparedness of third countries is also crucial for protecting the European Union against health risks that may arise in those countries. Thought therefore needs to be given to a coordinated approach within and outside the EU in order to protect citizens from known or unforeseen health risks.

EU PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLANNING FOR AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC

In March 2004, the European Commission adopted the first Community influenza pandemic preparedness plan (COM(2004) 201 final). This strategy establishes the respective roles of the Commission and the Member States in preparing for a pandemic, and outlines the key measures to be taken at certain pre-defined stages and levels, primarily concerned with management and coordination, surveillance, prevention, alleviation and response, communication, civil protection and research. This strategy is constructed mainly around the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The communication of 28 November 2005 on pandemic influenza preparedness seeks to review this strategy in the light of new developments in the field, namely:

the publication of revised WHO recommendations concerning pandemic influenza;
the setting up of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The six phases of an influenza pandemic

The action plan sets out an EU response proposal for each of the six phases of an influenza pandemic as defined by the WHO:

Phase 1 – inter-pandemic period: no new influenza virus subtypes detected in humans;
Phase 2 – inter-pandemic period: no new influenza virus subtypes detected in humans, but a circulating animal influenza virus poses a heightened risk of human disease;
Phase 3 – pandemic alert period: human infection with a new subtype, but no human-to-human spread;
Phase 4 – pandemic alert period: small cluster(s) with limited human-to-human transmission but spread is highly localised, suggesting that the virus is not well adapted to humans;
Phase 5 – pandemic alert period: larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localised, suggesting that the virus is increasingly becoming adapted to humans, although not yet fully transmissible (substantial pandemic risk);
Phase 6 – pandemic period: increased and sustained transmission in the general population. Several outbreaks in at least one country outside the EU with human-to-human transmission and spread to other countries.

Determining responsibilities at Community and national levels

For each phase of the pandemic, the action plan sets out in detail the respective responsibilities of the Member States, the Commission and the ECDC. At the operational level, the measures to be taken are presented in terms of:

planning and coordination;
assessment and monitoring;
prevention and containment;
health system response;
communication between Member States and the EU, and to the public.

BACKGROUND

The terrorist attacks that occurred in the United States in September 2001 demonstrated the need for stronger public health policies, contingency plans and resources geared to preventing this type of attack and limiting the effects.

The SARS epidemic of 2003, constituting another major event in the public health field, resulted in a major re-think of defences against communicable diseases. It provided a test of the usefulness of the EU’s coordination activity based on the early warning and response system. Thanks to this system, the Member States were kept informed of the situation and were able to make preparations to halt any spread of the disease.

The twentieth century has also experienced three influenza pandemics. Recently, the risk of a new global influenza pandemic had to be re-assessed following the appearance of avian influenza in Asia and its spread in the world. Although there is no way of forecasting when the next pandemic might start, the repercussions of such an event would be considerable, not only in terms of mobilising the health and social services but also in terms of social and economic upheaval. Methodical preparedness planning and action at EU and Member State level can help to attenuate the extent and consequences of a pandemic.

The Commission has accordingly adopted two action plans designed to prepare the Community and the Member States for confronting public health threats at European level. One plan aims to enhance European coordination in the event of public health emergencies by providing for a general strategy applicable to different types of health threat, whether they are anticipated (like pandemic influenza) or unforeseen (like an epidemic similar to SARS). The other is concerned more specifically with preparing for and responding to an influenza pandemic.

Related Acts

Council conclusions of 18 October 2005 on avian and pandemic influenza [Not published in the Official Journal].

Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 establishing a European Centre for disease prevention and control [Official Journal L 142 of 30.04.2004].

Commission Working Document of 26 March 2004 on Community Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response Planning [COM(2004) 201 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Commission Decision 2000/57/EC of 22 December 1999 on the early warning and response system for the prevention and control of communicable diseases under Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council [Official Journal L 21 of 26.01.2000].