Mr President, when I present reports to this Parliament I like to add by way of a signature a quotation and in this case I have used the Arabian proverb: 'He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything'. The statement and the debate we have just been listening to show the hopes and the fears of our constituents and their concern that we do better in this area in the future. In the case of avian flu, with the transmission from hens to ducks to pigs to humans – resulting in the deaths of 19 humans – mutation is a possibility. When we look back at the SARS experience and when we look around at the constant threat of bioterrorism, we see the need for this centre to coordinate better, as the Commissioner has said, and we see the need for urgency in bringing this measure forward. We are dealing with health emergencies that are within the competence of the European Union. We are also dealing with other health areas and starting, as the Commissioner has said, with communicable diseases, not least those with drug-resistant strains, which threaten our communities. This report provides for a later review in three years' time, which will look at the scope of the measure and the experience gained and see how best we can move forward in terms of other health monitoring. The centre does not resemble the American Central Direction Center, but is rather a network of networks. It is neither bureaucratic, nor is it costly. In due course, we may need to look at its costs to see if we are adequately funding it, but for now it is certainly not costly. It will work closely with national networks and no national network need feel threatened by this because they will fully be a part of it. It will also work with international agencies, particularly the WHO, which is so fundamental in these areas. In our discussions we have had two key issues before us. One was the scope, where we found a happy and acceptable solution, and the other was the board, where there was some controversy. I am one of those who has always argued for small boards for these authorities and agencies, as I did for the Food Safety Authority, but in this case there is a fundamental reason why we need to have every Member State represented on the board and that is because every Member State may be asked to contribute to the work of the centre. That is sensible. I am grateful also that we have been able to ensure that we have parliamentary representation on the board. It is urgent that this set-up should be in place by 2005 and for that reason we have to do this in a single reading, given the complexities of the parliamentary year ahead. It has been a complex process of consultation with colleagues and with the Council that has led to a complex set of mainly technical and linguistic amendments. We now have two blocks of amendments; the first are those that I commend to this House, and the second those that are superseded by the first. There are then two further amendments tabled by the Group and I have to say to the House that, whatever one thinks of those amendments, were they to be accepted it would jeopardise the possibility of having this measure brought forward by 2005. I therefore have to ask the House to reject those two amendments. This report has only been possible because of the collaboration with my colleagues in my Group and across the groups, and I am deeply grateful to them, to the shadow rapporteurs, to the Group, the committee and the parliamentary secretariats. Our discussions and debates have also played a role, including those with the Commission and the Council, which have often been forceful, yet always positive. I am grateful both to the former Italian presidency and the current Irish presidency for the work we have been able to do together. This proposal will enhance our Community and national ability to look after public health throughout the European Union. It will enable us to work with other countries beyond the European Union to prevent, control and defeat the health threats that we face today. I commend this measure to the House. (Applause)

Political group: PPE-DE