WRITTEN QUESTION E-1544/98

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(19 May 1998)

Subject: Zoonoses

Directive 92/117/EEC(1) lays down requirements for the monitoring and control of a series of zoonoses, excluding control of salmonella enteritidis and typhimurium in fowl breeding flocks, but does not provide for any standardized procedure for the monitoring and gathering of data on other diseases. This situation is adversely affecting the attainment of one of the Directive's main objectives, namely the collection in individual Member States of epidemiological information on zoonoses, since data that can be collected in this context cannot otherwise be brought together and monitored.

Will the Commission devise a uniform monitoring system at Community level for individual diseases, laying down clearly and unequivocally which epidemiological unit should serve as a reference and defining uniform and standard diagnostic procedures for all Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 June 1998)

Directive 92/117/EEC lays down general rules for collecting epidemiological information on various zoonoses, and specific measures to combat salmonella in poultry breeding flocks. In addition, there are Community rules regarding the control and monitoring of certain other zoonoses such as tuberculosis due to mycobacterium bovis, brucellosis and trichinosis which are covered by the appropriate trade and hygiene directives.

The Commission recognises the problems related to the epidemiological reporting system on trends and sources of zoonoses provided in Articles 4 and 5 of Directive 92/117/EEC. Member States' experts have been invited to several working groups to discuss these problems. In addition, the Community reference laboratory for the epidemiology of zoonoses, BgVV Berlin, has organised workshops where this issue has been addressed. As a result of these consultations certain guidelines and uniform data collection sheets for reporting have been agreed. The quality of the data reported from the Member States has been gradually improving although, because of the different surveillance systems, it still does not allow comparisons of the epidemiological situation between the Member States. However, the annual Community report in its current form still offers useful information on the details of surveillance systems in the Member States and it allows, to a certain extent, for monitoring of the trends of zoonoses within individual Member States even if not between different Member States.

Further efforts to improve the reporting system will be made in the context of the review of Directive 92/117/EEC by introducing certain fixed criteria for data collection and reporting. However, the development of a fully harmonised reporting system would be an extremely comprehensive exercise requiring, for example harmonisation of case definitions, monitoring, surveillance, sampling, analytical methods and notification of zoonoses and zoonotic agents in feed, in domestic animals and wildlife, in food and in humans. Furthermore, it cannot be overlooked that in most Member States several authorities share competence for the various epidemiological aspects of zoonoses. In addition, the degree of reporting of most food borne infections will always be influenced by differences in national and local traditions, including how frequently and how quickly medical assistance is sought.

(1) OJ L 62, 15.3.1993, p. 38.