WRITTEN QUESTION E-1821/02

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 June 2002)

Subject: Rising number of cases of swine fever in the EU

The number of cases of classical swine fever in the EU is on the increase. Since Directive 2001/89/EC(1) was adopted in October of last year the use of marker vaccines has been authorised, which means that, instead of clearing infected and surrounding farms, ring vaccination can be used to prevent the disease spreading. However, the use of such marker vaccines is limited because there are no approved test methods that can make a distinction between vaccinated animals and those naturally infected.

1. Is the Commission prepared to make extra funds available as soon as possible either from the Sixth Framework Programme for Research or from the funds specifically earmarked for this purpose by the budgetary authority in budget line B1-330 so that European research institutes can develop such test methods more quickly?

2. Given that the swine fever virus is endemic in wild boar in certain parts of the EU, the development of a dead marker vaccine that can be administered orally would be extremely useful in eradicating swine fever in the wild boar population in the EU. Is the Commission also prepared to make funds available for the development of such a vaccine?

(1) OJ L 316, 1.12.2001, p. 5.

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2002)

Council Directive 2001/89/EC of 23 October 2001 on Community measures for the control of classical swine fever(1) provides for the use of marker vaccines to control Classical Swine Fever (CSF) should they become available. The work programme for the new research framework programme, 2002-2006, is currently being developed. There are a number of areas where work on marker vaccines and diagnostic tests to differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals might be supported. In particular, research activities to support Community policies are being developed in conjunction with the other Directorates General. Marker vaccines and diagnostic tests for various diseases on the Office International des Epizooties' (OIE) list A, including CSF, are being considered for inclusion in the work programme. Given the limited funds that are available, however, research is being prioritised and it is not possible to guarantee, at the present time, that there will be specific support for CSF marker vaccines and diagnostic tests.

In addition to the funds for research that supports Community policies, referred to above, the Commission is currently identifying research topics for the thematic priorities of the new framework programme and a first call for proposals is expected later this year. Expressions of interest within this assessment include a variety of projects related to CSF and other OIE list A diseases, including control in wild animal populations, under the general topic of safer and environmentally friendly production methods and healthier foodstuffs, which includes improvement of animal husbandry and welfare . Clearly, improved control of epizootic disease in livestock potentially falls into this area. Whether such research is eventually funded, however, will depend on the outcome of the assessment process and, eventually, on the quality of the proposals received in response to a call for proposals.

Budget line B1 330 is primarily devoted to the co-financing of the Member States' programmes for the eradication and surveillance of major animal diseases, including CSF. In 2002, a total of EUR 155 million is shown in the budget for this purpose. Under the modifications made to this budget line by the Parliament, this appropriation is also intended to finance the development of marker vaccines or tests which can distinguish between sick and vaccinated animals. In this respect priority has been given to the validation of such tests for foot-and-mouth disease by reserving EUR 800 000 for that purpose.

The general aims and the limited funds available in chapter 33, covering expenditure in the veterinary and phytosanitary field, together with the need to address the high costs of the recent bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and foot and mouth disease (FMD) crises, do not permit many resources to be committed at this stage to the development of diagnostic tests for CSF.

However, from this chapter, EUR 185 000 have been allocated for financing the activities of the Community Reference Laboratory for CSF in Hanover in 2002. These activities include the performance and the co-ordination of research directed towards an improved control of CSF. Appropriate arrangements are also being made to cover the cost for a workshop, which is being organised by this laboratory, on the most recent CSF diagnostic tests and to which experts from the Member States would take part.

In the above context it is worthwhile mentioning that in the absence of marker vaccine the use of a conventional vaccine against classical swine fever in feral pigs by means of oral baits

was authorised by the German authorities in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland for an emergency vaccination. The two respective German eradication plans (Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate) for the eradication of classical swine fever in feral pigs were approved by Commission Decision 2002/161/EC(2). The experience gained may contribute to improve future control strategies.

(1) OJ L 316, 1.12.2001.

(2) Commission Decision of 22 February 2002 approving the plans submitted by Germany for the eradication of classical swine fever in feral pigs in Saarland and the emergency vaccination against classical swine fever in feral pigs in Rhineland-Pfalz and Saarland, OJ L 53, 23.2.2002.