New EU rules to harmonize vaccinations

As part of measures to tackle the most serious animal diseases, the European Commission has adopted the new Delegated Regulation 2023/361, which supplements Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and harmonises vaccination rules, in particular those relating to influenza highly pathogenic avian flu.

These new standards are in line with the international standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) and take into account new scientific knowledge available and experience gained in applying existing EU standards. The new rules, published in February, will enter into force on March 12 .

In the context of avian influenza, specific vaccination rules are introduced  as a control or preventive measure  to allow the  safe handling of animals and their products  from establishments and areas where vaccination has been carried out.

The European poultry associations  AVEC,  ELPHA  and  EPB welcomed the initiative of the European Commission underlining the need for a common framework for vaccination within the EU. “It is important to note, however, that vaccination is not the solution that will solve the avian flu problem by itself and once and for all – say the associations, who consider vaccination the way to go along with the taking other measures – Different strategies can be used – compulsory/voluntary vaccination; vaccination of some types of poultry or all poultry farms; vaccination only in high risk areas/an entire country. 

Each Member State will have to carry out a  risk assessment in order to find the best strategy in its specific area”.

“Observing the evolution in recent years and months, it seems increasingly difficult to control HPAI without vaccination – conclude the associations -, but it is of fundamental importance that the European Commission, together with the national authorities of the EU, reach out to  international institutions  such  as the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and those  of third countries  with whom we trade in order to  avoid trade barriers  due to vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza”.