scholarly journals Avis scientifique sur la fièvre catarrhale ovine du groupe scientifique sur la santé et le bien-être des animaux de l'EFSA (2007−2008)

2009 ◽  
Vol 62 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
A. Afonso
Keyword(s):  
Animal Movement ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Final Report ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Virus Serotype ◽  
Sampling Procedures ◽  
The Eu

The first outbreak of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) in the European Union (EU) was officially declared in the area of Maastricht on August 17, 2006. The infection spread extensively in the summer and beginning of autumn; The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) adopted a statement on the significance of these recent outbreaks in September 2006. It expressed concerns about the appearance of vector-borne viruses never seen before in the EU and recommended: i) harmonising the collection of epide­miological data and sampling procedures [blood for antibod­ies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing]; ii) monitor­ing and studying spatial and temporal patterns of potential and known vector occurrences; and iii) sharing information between Member States. Furthermore, it recommended the investigation of the routes of BTV-8 introduction in the EU. In October, EFSA was requested by the European Commission (EC) to describe the evolution of the disease during the outbreaks as well as to conduct a global epidemiological analysis. A working group, including relevant experts from the affected countries, provided a weekly overview of the epidemic and a final report containing all information and analysis.  In December 2006, the EFSA–AHAW Panel received a mandate from the EC focusing on the control of vectors and vaccines for all BT serotypes. Comprehensive analyses of the role of vectors as well as possible control measures were reviewed. The opinion identified important knowledge gaps and provided recommen­dations for future research. As part of EFSA approach, a consulta­tion meeting with the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) and vaccine manufacturers was held. A letter request­ing information on outbreaks of BT and vaccination campaigns against BT was sent to chief veterinary officers. All information was reviewed and the Panel concluded that vaccines were suit­able for the control of the infection in endemic/epizootic areas: vaccination, preferably using an inactivated virus, was recom­mended as a first line of defence but within a set of measures, including animal movement control and Culicoides control. The Panel also considered the option of vaccination in high risk areas of virus free countries.  BTV-8 was a wake-up call to the possibility of further emerging diseases in the EU. The Panel decided to address the origin and occurrence of BT serotypes exotic to the EU in order to obtain a better understanding of their evolution and subsequent spread, and to make recommendations as to the potential preventive measures that could be implemented in order to minimise the reoccurrence of such events in the future.  An update of previous EFSA scientific opinions on BT was con­cluded in September 2008 as regards: i) vector ecology and criteria for the determination of the seasonally free period; ii) the over-wintering mechanisms of BT virus; iii) the length of viraemia of all BTV serotypes relevant to the EU situation; iv) scientific advice on the effectiveness and suitability of insecti­cides and repellents for Culicoides species; and v) the different measures that can be used to protect animals against attacks by vectors. The work conducted by EFSA during 2007-2008 rep­resents a coordinated effort of expertise and communication without precedent in the European risk assessment community and a valuable experience on what can be done when facing emerging issues.

scholarly journals Système EUBTNet et intégration Medreonet

2009 ◽  
Vol 62 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
P. Calistri ◽  
L. Savini ◽  
A. Cerella ◽  
P. Colangeli
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Web Gis ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Disease Notification ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Virus Serotype

During summer 2006, a bluetongue (BT) epidemic occurred for the first time in Northern Europe, caused by virus serotype 8 (BTV-8). The disease reached latitude 53°N, involving Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. In 2007 more than 40,000 outbreaks of BTV-8 have been recorded up to latitude 55°N, involving new countries such as Denmark, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and almost the whole terri­tory of France.  In this epidemiological context, the European Commission recognized the need to develop a web-based information system, EUBTNet, i.e. a bluetongue network application for the European Union (EU), to ensure BT real-time assessment at the European level. A first release of EUBTNet (http://eubtnet. izs.it/btnet/index.htm) was made available to all EU Member States (MS) on 31 May 2007. EUBTNet is a tool for the rapid collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of large quantities of data generated by national/regional bluetongue monitoring programmes, directly provided by EU MS. The BT occurrence data, extracted from the Animal Disease Notification System (European Commission) and from the World Animal Health Information System for non-EU European and Mediterranean countries, are also included. The access to the system is governed by different procedures depending on the user’s profile ensuring security and integrity of the data stored. A web-based geographic information system (Web GIS) is included in EUBTNet to provide a useful and immediate visual resource for decision-makers and competent authorities so as to help them in disease management and in the application of appropriate control measures. EUBTNet is highly flexible as it pursues the maximum level of interoperability with the existing national systems of MS and integrates continuous changes and refinements, after requests by the European Commission or MS. EUBTNet provides also several other tools to facilitate the exchange of information between MS and the European Commission. Taking into account the objectives of the Medreonet project EUBTNet represents a valuable source of validated data, allowing the project’s partners to retrieve epidemiological data while avoiding the duplication of efforts in collecting such information.

scholarly journals Eradication of peste des petits ruminants: Application of new research to guide and facilitate the global elimination of the disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (03) ◽  
pp. 6380-2020
Author(s):  
WIESŁAW NIEDBALSKI
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Peste Des Petits Ruminants ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Eradication Programme

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants caused by the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), which belongs to the genus Morbilivirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. The PPRV causes disease in goats and sheep, as well as in wild ruminants, such as gazelle, deer, antelope, Nubian ibex, gemsbok and others. PPR was first recorded in early 1942 in Ivory Coast, West Africa, and spread to around 70 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia – regions that are home to over 80% of the world’s sheep and goats. Until 2018, PPR had never been detected in Europe. On 24th June 2018, however, the Bulgarian authorities reported cases of PPR in sheep in the village of Voden, Bolyarovo municipality of Yambol region, on the border with the Thrace region of Turkey. It was the first occurrence of PPR in Bulgaria and in the European Union (EU). The control and eventual eradication of PPR is now one of the top priorities for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). In 2015, the international community agreed on a global strategy for PPR eradication, setting 2030 as a target date for elimination of the disease. The aim of this paper was to highlight future research that could be performed to guide and facilitate the PPR eradication programme. Such research includes studies on PPR transmission and epidemiology, as well as the development and application of new-generation PPR vaccines capable of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). Moreover, there is a need for research to improve and adapt existing diagnostic techniques as well as to develop novel PPRV recognition methods, such as a lateral flow device for in-field use, that accelerate decisions about the implementation of control measures.

scholarly journals Maladie hémorragique épizootique : évaluation de l'Autorité européenne de sécurité des aliments sur les risques d'introduction et de propagation en Europe

2009 ◽  
Vol 62 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 157
Author(s):  
A. Afonso
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Clinical Disease ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Risk Assessment Models ◽  
The Eu

Following a request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Animal Health and Welfare was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the epi­zootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD). The mandate was composed of four terms of reference: i) the significance of the presence, origin and occurrence of EHD virus (EHDV) in susceptible spe­cies (specially livestock animals) in the European Union (EU) neighbouring countries; ii) the possibility of EHD spreading to and within the EU and persisting; iii) the role played by differ­ent vectors and the means to control them; and iv) the possible measures to control and eradicate the disease including surveil­lance, control of vectors, availability of suitable vaccines, and other elements.  Under EFSA coordination, a working group of experts was invited to review the scientific knowledge available on EHD: its aetiology, the pathogenicity of the disease and epidemiology in different areas of the world. The review reported similarities of the disease with bluetongue, in particular concerning transmis­sion. EHDV is transmitted by Culicoides vectors and it is pos­sible that competent vectors for both diseases overlap. However, considerable knowledge gaps exist regarding factors that may influence vectorial capacity. Seven serotypes of EHDV are cur­rently identified, from these only three (EHDV-2, 6 and 7) have been reported to cause clinical disease in cattle. Sheep may be infected but without clinical signs. EHD has been recognised as a serious disease in White-Tailed deer in North America. The Ibaraki strain (EHDV-2) caused serious outbreaks in Japan, and outbreaks of clinical disease have been reported from North Africa and West Asia in recent years. The similarity between recent EHD outbreaks in North Africa and West Asia, and blue­tongue outbreaks at the end of the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s constitutes a reason of concern.  EFSA developed a risk assessment on the risk of introduction in the EU by taking in consideration three possible entrance pathways: i) via imported infectious animals; ii) via infectious vectors; and iii) other routes such as vaccines or germplasm. The risk of introduction by imported animals (wild or domes­tic, legal or illegal) was estimated by a simulation model based on the assumptions that the animal is: i) originated from an infected area; ii) infected prior to the movement; iii) in incuba­tion or viraemic at the time of movement; and iv) in incubation or viraemic when introduced, which will depend not only on the probability of infection but also on the duration of the quar­antine prior to entrance and the sensitivity of the test used. The risk assessment for the introduction by infectious vectors was a qualitative assessment. The consequence assessment, i.e. the risk of transmission to other animals/vectors after introduction/ exposure, was considered to depend on: i) the vector abundance in the considered area; ii) the viraemia duration; iii) the number of midges per animal (vector density); iv) the number of bites per animal and per day; and v) the probability that infection is transmitted from an infectious animal to a susceptible vector per bite. The risk was estimated by using a temperature dependent model for the basic reproduction number. Risk estimates were provided for the different pathways. The risk assessment models also helped appraise the value of possible control measures.

scholarly journals Science and Technology Policy Research in the EU: From Framework Programme to HORIZON 2020

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junic Kim ◽  
Jaewook Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Technology Policy ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Science And Technology Policy ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Framework Programme ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
The Eu

Science and Technology policy is regarded as an essential factor for future growth in the EU, and Horizon 2020 is the world’s most extensive research and innovation programme created by the European Union to support and encourage research in the European Research Area (ERA). The purpose of this study is to analyse and evaluate the changes to the EU’s science and technology policies from Framework Programme to Horizon 2020 and to provide vital information to research organisations and academia to conceive and conduct future research on international cooperation with the EU. Through a policy analysis, this study summarised the four science and technology policy implications: (1) building ecosystems through mutual complementation among industries, (2) solving social problems through science and technology, (3) strengthening SMEs’ participation, and (4) sharing knowledge and strengthening collaboration with non-EU countries.

scholarly journals Fumonisins at Doses below EU Regulatory Limits Induce Histological Alterations in Piglets

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terciolo ◽  
Bracarense ◽  
Souto ◽  
Cossalter ◽  
Dopavogui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
Fusarium Species ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Histological Alterations ◽  
Regulatory Limits ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

Fumonisins (FBs) are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species that can contaminate human food and animal feed. Due to the harmful effects of FBs on animals, the European Union (EU) defined a recommendation of a maximum of 5 mg FBs (B1 + B2)/kg for complete feed for swine and 1 µg FBs/kg body weight per day as the tolerable daily intake for humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of dietary exposure to low doses of FBs, including a dose below the EU regulatory limits. Four groups of 24 weaned castrated male piglets were exposed to feed containing 0, 3.7, 8.1, and 12.2 mg/kg of FBs for 28 days; the impact was measured by biochemical analysis and histopathological observations. Dietary exposure to FBs at a low dose (3.7 mg/kg of feed) significantly increased the plasma sphinganine-to-sphingosine ratio. FBs-contaminated diets led to histological modifications in the intestine, heart, lung, lymphoid organs, kidney, and liver. The histological alterations in the heart and the intestine appeared at the lowest dose of FBs-contaminated diet (3.7 mg/kg feed) and in the kidney at the intermediate dose (8.1 mg/kg feed). At the highest dose tested (12.2 mg/kg feed), all the organs displayed histological alterations. This dose also induced biochemical modifications indicative of kidney and liver alterations. In conclusion, our data indicate that FBs-contaminated diets at doses below the EU regulatory limit cause histological lesions in several organs. This study suggests that EU recommendations for the concentration of FBs in animal feed, especially for swine, are not sufficiently protective and that regulatory doses should be modified for better protection of animal health.

Rebuilding trust: sustainability and non-financial reporting and the European Union regulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 701-725
Author(s):  
Matteo La Torre ◽  
Svetlana Sabelfeld ◽  
Marita Blomkvist ◽  
John Dumay
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
The Eu

Purpose This paper introduces the special issue “Rebuilding trust: Sustainability and non-financial reporting, and the European Union regulation”. Inspired by the studies published in the special issue, this study aims to examine the concept of accountability within the context of the European Union (EU) Directive on non-financial disclosure (hereafter the EU Directive) to offer a critique and a novel perspective for future research into mandatory non-financial reporting (NFR) and to advance future practice and policy. Design/methodology/approach The authors review the papers published in this special issue and other contemporary studies on the topic of NFR and the EU Directive. Findings Accountability is a fundamental concept for building trust in the corporate reporting context and emerges as a common topic linking contemporary studies on the EU Directive. While the EU Directive acknowledges the role of accountability in the reporting practice, this study argues that regulation and practice on NFR needs to move away from an accounting-based conception of accountability to promote accountability-based accounting practices (Dillard and Vinnari, 2019). By analysing the links between trust, accountability and accounting and reporting, the authors claim the need to examine and rethink the inscription of interests into non-financial information (NFI) and its materiality. Hence, this study encourages research and practice to broaden mandatory NFR practice over the traditional boundaries of accountability, reporting and formal accounting systems. Research limitations/implications Considering the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, this study calls for further research to investigate the dialogical accountability underpinning NFR in practice to avoid the trap of focusing on accounting changes regardless of accountability. The authors advocate that what is needed is more timely NFI that develops a dialogue between companies, investors, national regulators, the EU and civil society, not more untimely standalone reporting that has most likely lost its relevance and materiality by the time it is issued to users. Originality/value By highlighting accountability issues in the context of mandatory NFR and its linkages with trust, this study lays out a case for moving the focus of research and practice from accounting-based regulations towards accountability-driven accounting change.

scholarly journals Exploring the potential for “urban air quality transition management” in the EU – lessons from the City of Aachen (Germany)

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Szabo-Müller
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Urban Air Quality ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Urban Air ◽  
Transition Management ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Science Field ◽  
The City ◽  
The Eu

AbstractAir pollution is one of the most important global sustainability and health challenges. In response to this, the European Union (EU) initiated with its Directive 2008/50/EC a new era of (urban) air quality management (UAQM) and introduced air quality plans and short term action plans as major formal planning instruments. However, these efforts still fail to achieve their target. Independently, sustainability transitions research emerged as a major science field, suggesting urban transition management (UTM) as an effective governance and planning approach for steering transformative urban change. Hence, the overall query this paper puts forward is, whether UAQM could be enhanced by UTM? This leads to an empirical and a conceptual question: 1) How transformative is current UAQM, i.e. how does it contribute to a transition process? 2) How could UAQM and UTM be combined to create an ‘urban air quality transition management’? Drawing on a conceptual discussion of both frameworks, an explorative case study of UAQM in the EU and the City of Aachen (Germany) reveals that UAQM and UTM seem to have many similarities at a superficial level, but differ significantly in detail. They are mostly complementary because each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses, so that neither of them could achieve the targeted transition alone. Future research should therefore focus on comparative transformative research in ‘urban air quality transition management labs’ to develop integrated approaches. Policy should both legally facilitate such experiments and deliver sufficient funding for enhanced UAQM in general.

An independent voice for children's rights in Europe? The role of independent children's rights institutions in the EU

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel A Thomas ◽  
Karl C Hanson ◽  
Brian B Gran
Keyword(s):  
Children's Rights ◽  
Children’S Rights ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Annual Conference ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Council Of Europe ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Distinctive Role ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThis article attempts to understand the distinctive role of independent human rights institutions for children (IHRICs) in Europe, in the context of the proposed EU strategy on the rights of the child. It begins by explaining the distinctive characteristics of IHRICs, their presence, location and organisation in Europe, and the role of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC). It goes on to examine their developing relationships, individually and collectively, with European institutions (in particular the institutions of the European Union, but also with reference to the Council of Europe). The article draws on observations of the annual conference of ENOC in 2010, and on interviews with members of ENOC. The article follows this with a discussion of how IHRICs may be understood as operating at the interface of regional, national, European and global mechanisms, and concludes with a review of current issues and some questions for future research.

scholarly journals Molecular detection, phylogenetic analysis and genetic diversity of recently isolated foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype A African topotype, Genotype IV

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayah M. Hassan ◽  
Mostafa R. Zaher ◽  
Rabab T. Hassanien ◽  
Mervat I. Abd-El-Moniem ◽  
Ahmed R. Habashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Serotype A ◽  
Mouth Disease Virus ◽  
Virus Serotype ◽  
Foot And Mouth

Abstract Background Surveillance for circulating emerging diseases of economic importance has a major role in the rapid response to major pathogen outbreaks. Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is one of the significant endemic viruses in Egypt. FMDV is periodically investigated for monitoring evolution and emergence of new variants. The genetic characterization of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus serotype A responsible for recent outbreaks of FMD in Egypt was determined. Methods Samples were collected from different locations and virus isolation was performed using BHK-21 cells. Viral RNA was extracted and samples were screened for FMDV using real-time RT-PCR. DNA sequence analysis was performed and computational and bioinformatics analyses were used to determine the substitution rates and phylogenetic relationship. Results Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of full-length 1D region of FMDV samples collected from different governorates in 2020 showed close similarity to Egyptian FMDV strains from serotype A-African topotype-G-IV with genetic variation of 6.5%. Recently isolated FMDV strains showed high genetic variations from locally used vaccine strains in the major antigenic sites of VP1 region. Conclusions Although, efforts made by the veterinary authorities to implement an effective mass vaccination plan, the recently detected FMDV strains in this study could not be subtyped using the FMDV primers routinely used for molecular serotyping. These dissimilarities raise the alarm for reconsideration of the FMDV isolates used in vaccine manufacture. Clearly close monitoring of FMD in Egypt is urgently required to define the risks of future outbreaks and to ensure appropriate control measures against FMD major outbreaks.

Expanding European Integration towards the Western Balkans in Times of Crises: A Neo-Functionalist Examination

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 75-98
Author(s):  
Özer Binici
Keyword(s):  
Eu Enlargement ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Political ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Association Agreement ◽  
Eu Foreign Policy ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The Eu

This article examines the political practices of the European Union (EU) in the Western Balkans and, in particular, the EU-Kosovo relations by adopting the revisited neo-functionalism approach to the study of EU enlargement. This research draws on the descriptive and explanatory assumptions of the approach; it not only explains the development of the EU enlargement perspective towards the region but also explores the main dynamics behind the EU’s strategy towards the region, beginning from the outbreak of the Yugoslavia War and the reflections associated with the development of the EU foreign policy realm. More specifically, the research focuses on the dynamics underlying the process of the development of Stabilization and Association Agreement with Kosovo. In the conclusion, future research directions and limitations of the revisited neo-functionalism are discussed.

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