Brussels, 19 October 2007

Brussels, October 2007 - In the wake of the release of the EU Animal Health strategy by the Commission last month, a conference gathering many stakeholders was organised on the subject at the European Parliament today.

One of the main issues of discussion between panelists was the question of animal vaccination and its role in improving animal health status in Europe.

Asked to react on the topic, Euro Coop made a clear statement that there is no safety concern with food derived from vaccinated animals.

Given the scientifically recognized absence of risk for human health, Euro Coop sees no obstacle to free marketing and consumption by European consumers of such products.

On the contrary, Euro Coop supports vaccination as an alternative to mass slaughtering on prevention grounds of healthy livestock, which is intolerable both from a societal and an animal welfare perspective. Vaccination is also beneficial insofar as it prevents suffering and can help avoid the use of chemicals.

This statement is line with demands from several Member States to the European Union to take the lead on vaccination, after a spread of the bluetongue disease in recent months.

EURO COOP is the European Community of Consumer Cooperatives, whose members are the national organisations of consumer cooperatives in 17 European countries. Created in 1957, EURO COOP today represents over 3,200 local and regional cooperatives, the members of which amount to more than 22 million consumers across Europe.

For further information, please contact:
Laura Street, Food Policy Officer, Euro Coop
Tel: +32 (0)2 285 00 74, Fax: +32 (0)2 231 07 57
E-mail: lstreetateurocoop.coop