European Parliament
Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL ),
in writing
(PT)
As the rapporteur – a Cypriot doctor who is a Member of our political group – says, confusion in people’s minds about avian influenza and pandemic influenza is massive. Many people and authorities, he says, ‘seem to equate the arrival of A/H5N1 in Europe with the arrival of a pandemic virus’. He therefore suggests that improvements should be made to the Commission’s communication in generic preparedness planning for public health emergencies at EU level.
He emphasises, as I did in a previous report, that the EU must lend technical, scientific and economic assistance to countries already affected and, in particular, contribute to raising global awareness and a global master plan coordinated at international, regional, sub-regional and national level with a proper road map and timetable.
The rapporteur has sought to improve upon the Commission’s proposal and to clarify a number of points. We therefore voted in favour of this report.

