Press Releases

Rauch-Kallat at the avian flu conference in Beijing

EU and its Member States contributing EUR 200 million and comprehensive knowhow

On behalf of all 25 EU Member States and the European Commission, Health Minister Maria Rauch-Kallat welcomed on Wednesday the "Beijing Declaration".  “It expresses the political will to join forces to tackle the epizootic disease of avian flu, because the most effective protection against the occurrence of a possible pandemic in humans is combating the disease in risk areas such as Asia", according to Rauch-Kallat in her speech to the "International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza" in Beijing. "The priority objective must be to contain the animal disease where it occurs.  This is the only way to prevent humans in close contact with sick birds being infected with the disease and thus increasing the risk of a possible mutation of the virus."

Maria Rauch-Kallat stressed the importance on the one hand of financial and technical support for the countries affected and on the other of global cooperation in the areas of health, finance, trade and security: "In addition to financial assistance only a long-term partnership between the EU and the countries concerned in southern and eastern Asia can be successful."  The increased incidence of avian flu is extremely serious and poses a clear challenge to all countries to take joint protective action against this worldwide risk.  On behalf of the European Commission and the EU Member States, the Austrian Health Minister announced financial support of a total of EUR 200 million.  "Austria will set aside EUR 1 million for measures against avian flu, in particular for veterinary and human medical diagnostic centres to be established and upgraded in the areas affected."

Speaking as the representative of the EU Council Presidency, Rauch-Kallat also welcomed the readiness of all participants in the conference to adopt a transparent policy on information so as to communicate the occurring cases of avian flu as soon as possible.  "In addition to financial support, the EU is prepared to make available its skills, prevention schemes and information channels in the field of avian flu to the affected countries of Asia", concluded Rauch-Kallat.