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Health Council calls for AIDS and zoonoses research to be priorities in Framework 7
The EHCAC wants the EU to fund more research into AIDS vacccines and zoonotic diseases.
Further research into developing a HIV/AIDS vaccine should be carried out under the Seventh Framework programme (FP7), concluded the European Health and Consumer Affairs Council following its meeting in Brussels on 6 December. The Council recognised that emerging zoonotic diseases are a national, European and global problem, acknowledged the need to establish a European Action Plan for zoonoses preparedness and control, and for further research into prevention to be carried out under FP7.
'A European policy to combat HIV/AIDS seemed to be justified in a moment when such a dangerous disease is not yet under control and affecting new and especially vulnerable target groups (women and children),' said the Council in a statement. 'It was further recognised that, for this combat, the EU should use its resources effectively, in particular to foster research to develop a vaccine (i.e. from the 7th Framework Programme for research and technological development). The advantages of collaboration between Member States in this field were particularly underlined so as to complement efforts and avoid duplication.'
Noting that an influenza pandemic is likely to occur and that emerging zoonotic diseases may present a grave threat to health, the Council agreed that an integrated strategy and coordinated approach from all Member States is needed to face the scale and complexity of these threats.
The Council therefore concluded that: 'A European Action Plan for zoonose preparedness and control should be established in order to implement an inter-sectoral and responsive Community strategy to emerging threats to zoonotic diseases. Such a plan should include integrated public health and animal health policy measures and related instruments.'
The Council also called on the European Food Safety Authority, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Environment Agency to work together towards the implementation of the Action Plan.
Dr. Mark Matfield, EBRA Director said: "I don't think anyone would disagree that these are areas of research where co-ordinated action is badly needed. However, it is difficult to see how real results can be achieved without the use of experimental animals, and particularly primates. This is an example of why there needs to be a health impact assessment on the revision of Directive 86/609 and more joined-up thinking across the different Directorates General."