Food & Environment / Animal Health

Animal health is a high priority for the EU. With recent reported cases of avian flu, the devastating foot and mouth emergency of 2001 and the 1990s ban on British beef exports in the wake of BSE, stringent measures are in place to contain the spread of animal viruses, which are oblivious to borders.

In the event of an outbreak, member states are obliged to notify the Commission so that it can inform other countries.

It is also important for consumers to know where their meat is coming from so they know how far it has travelled and can be sure it is disease-free. The EU has introduced various identification techniques for livestock and pets including tattoos, ear tags, registers and animal passports.