✅ The second publication we released today stems from the efforts of many colleagues across @euenvironment @ECDC_EU @EFSA @EU_ECHA & @EMA_News: the first-ever joint #OneHealth framework for action, which will help our EU agencies further strengthen their collaboration and support the implementation of the One Health approach in Europe ▶️ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/cross-agency-one-health-task-force-framework-action.
The launch of the framework is also supported by a joint video message of our five Executive Directors ▶ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSlKEUVDRDA.
Cross-agency One Health task force framework for action
The document outlines the common vision and objectives of the One Health task force and lists a set of concrete actions to achieve them.
Today, @euenvironment published a package that I had the pleasure to coordinate over the past few months!
✅ The first publication assesses #antimicrobial pollution from livestock farming and aquaculture and reviews progress in reducing antimicrobial use in the 🇪🇺. Our key message: we must improve environmental monitoring and continue to reduce the need to use antimicrobials in animal food production systems to prevent their release into the environment ▶️ https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/newsroom/news/tackle-antimicrobial-pollution-from-livestock-fish-farming.
Reducing use and improved monitoring can help tackle antimicrobial pollution from livestock, fish farming
While the use of antimicrobial drugs in farmed animals and in aquaculture has decreased over the past few years in Europe, the on-going presence of antimicrobial residues in the environment poses risks to ecosystems and human health, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today.
I recently had the pleasure of joining senior colleagues from the @ECDC_EU, @EFSA, @EMA_News and @EU_ECHA for a 2-part EFSA podcast on how EU agencies work together on #OneHealth.
You can now listen to Part I, where I discuss why the environment matters for disease prevention and what the European Environment Agency is doing on this topic. Our cross-agency task force and recent #OneHealth join statement are also mentioned.
#ScienceOnTheMenu 👇
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/podcast/episode-15-joining-forces-humans-animals-environment-one-health
Episode 15 - Joining forces for humans, animals, environment: One Health
Humans, animals and the environment – what affects one affects all. Discover why the One Health approach is vital for our future!
The @EU_Commission has officially requested its Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to recommend options for the cross-sectoral governance of #OneHealth in Europe. 🇪🇺
As @euenvironment, we contributed together with our fellow ENVI agencies to the scoping process that preceded this request, and I am particularly pleased to see the experience of our cross-agency #OneHealth task force acknowledged by the Commission's scoping paper ▶️ https://scientificadvice.eu/advice/cross-sectoral-evidence-based-governance-for-one-health-in-the-eu/.
Cross-sectoral evidence-based governance for One Health in the EU – Scientific Advice Mechanism
In any event, what is clear is that the existing Sustainable Use Directive needs overhauling and that widespread use of pesticides continues to impact human health and ecosystems in Europe. Read more in our
@euenvironment analysis from May 2023 ▶
https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/how-pesticides-impact-human-health. 3/3
How pesticides impact human health and ecosystems in Europe
Food production systems in Europe rely on chemical pesticides to maintain crop yields. However, widespread pesticide use is a major source of pollution — contaminating water, soil and air, driving biodiversity loss, and leading to pest resistance. Human exposure to chemical pesticides is linked to chronic illnesses such as cancer, and heart, respiratory and neurological diseases. This briefing summarises the latest knowledge on how chemical pesticides impact human health and the environment, and presents good practices to reduce their use and risk across Europe.
In my own opinion, the initial SUR proposal contained a range of ambitious provisions that reinforced each other (i.e. overall targets ▶️ IPM and other obligations for users ▶️ specific protections for sensitive areas), and it is difficult to see them as a menu à-la-carte. There are also important strategic considerations involved. For example, would the adoption of a watered-down SUR lead to a 'legislative lock-in', preventing further pesticide reform by the next Parliament? 2/n
ENDS Europe reports on attempt by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to save the Regulation on #SustainableUse of #Pesticides before the EU elections: https://www.endseurope.com/article/1860156/leak-belgium-seeks-resurrect-pesticides-bill-without-eu-reduction-targets.
It is an interesting situation. The compromise text would allegedly enshrine Integrated Pest Management as a legal obligation, but drop binding reduction targets and restrictions for sensitive areas. 1/n
LEAK: Belgium seeks to resurrect pesticides bill without EU reduction targets
The Belgian presidency has promoted the ‘added value’ of a watered-down revision of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation, as it distributed a fresh compromise draft to diplomats, with hopes to get the legislation across the finishing line by June.
In November, @euenvironment launched a joint One Health statement during the #OneHealthEU conference together w/ @EFSA, @EU_ECHA, @EMA_News & @ECDC_EU.
ICYMI, we have now created a nice landing page on our website to explain why it's important and how the EU agencies are working together to strengthen the One Health approach ▶️ https://eea.europa.eu/en/topics/at-a-glance/health/cross-agency-knowledge-for-one-health-action-statement.
Cross-agency knowledge for One Health action
Addressing threats to health and well-being requires implementing a One Health approach, recognising the interdependence of people, animals, plants and ecosystems. In this statement, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), European Environment Agency (EEA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) express their joint commitment as EU agencies to fully support the One Health agenda in Europe.
No majority in Parliament for legislation to curb use of pesticides | News | European Parliament
Parliament today has effectively rejected a Commission proposal on sustainable use of plant protection products.
GBIF 🌱