WRITTEN QUESTION E-3139/03 by Peter Liese (PPE-DE) to the Council. EU preparedness in the event of biological attack.
Date: 2003-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU policy, biological weapon, chemical weapon, competence of the Member States, cooperation policy, health policy, terrorism, vaccine

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/223

(2004/C 84 E/0267)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3139/03

by Peter Liese (PPE-DE) to the Council

(23 October 2003)

Subject: EU preparedness in the event of biological attack

The Commission adopted a Communication on Cooperation in the European Union on Preparedness and
Response to Biological and Chemical Agent Attacks on 2 June 2003 (1).

In its Communication, the Commission recommends stockpiling at EU level, but Member States have
shown preference for the development of national stockpiles only. The Communication states ‘the sizes of
the national stockpiles in relation to the national population range from enough to provide a dose for
every citizen in the Member State to enough for one citizen in thirty’ (page 15).

Can the Council explain the reasons for not taking into account the Commission recommendation for a
coordinated Community-level stockpile of smallpox vaccines?

Based on the Council approach, how does the Council
intend to guarantee an equal supply and
distribution of vaccines for all EU citizens, including those in the accession countries, in the event of a
bioterrorism attack?

(1) COM(2003) 320.

Reply

(9 March 2004)

Article 152(5) of the Treaty states that Community action in the field of public health shall fully respect
the responsibilities of the Member States for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical
care.

As mentioned in the Commission’s Communication which the Council received on 5 June 2003, the
Member States have through the Pharmaceutical Committee network and through the Health Security
Committee considered the need for the establishment of a Community stockpile of, inter alia, smallpox
vaccines with the Commission services-pharmaceutical
industry task force. As mentioned in the same
Commission Communication, consultations on options for a Community stockpile or virtual reserve or a
strategic sharing of national stockpiles showed that most Member States would not support either the
establishment of a Community level stockpile of smallpox vaccines or formal arrangements for sharing
national stockpiles. Indeed for different reasons different Member States have until now considered that a
Community level stockpile would not provide added value over the existing and planned national
stockpiles.

Given that this consultation process concerns an area of strictly Member State competence and given that
it took place under the auspices of the Commission and not the Council, the Honourable Member may
wish to take this matter up with the Commission and/or the individual Member States.

(2004/C 84 E/0268)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3148/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 October 2003)

Subject: Support for institutions working with women and girls who are victims of prostitution

In Portugal, there are institutions dedicated to the prevention and social integration of women and girls
who are victims of prostitution. Shortage of funding poses real problems.