ANIMAL HEALTH: PARLIAMENT ASKS FOR TOUGHER ACTION AND MORE EU MONEY TO TACKLE BIRD FLU.

The two reports are the Parliament's response to the avian flu "package" tabled last April by the European Commission: a proposal for a new Decision on expenditure in the veterinary field, and an updated Directive which outlines new measures on preventing avian flu epidemics.

In line with the Commission's new emphasis on low-pathogenic avian influenza, Mr Parish's report calls for tougher measures to control bird flu, improved early warning systems, the development of low-cost vaccines for poultry and a coordinated emergency plan in the event of human contamination.

Most significantly, Ms Figueiredo's report calls for 50% co-financing rates for outbreaks of both high- and low-pathogenic avian flu. The question is a matter of some contention between the member states and the Commission: the EU executive is proposing to co-finance measures on the low-pathogenic strains by 30% (currently, the EU only helps to co-finance the stamping out of the high pathogenic strains of avian flu). But a blocking minority of member states want culling measures for low-pathogenic avian flu to be 50% co-financed by the Commission, as is already the case for measures against high-pathogenic bird flu. Estonia, Slovenia, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal, Portugal and Slovakia are all opposing the Commission on the question of financing. The UK Presidency will now have to solve the deadlock if it is to secure an agreement on the Decision at the December 20 Farm Council.