
Wild Animals Not Pets – The Case for an EU Positive List
This video captures highlights from the event: Wild Animals Not Pets – The Case for an EU Positive List.
A gathering of policymakers, experts, and animal welfare advocates at the European Parliament to discuss the trade in wild animals and its implications for welfare, health, and biodiversity | 22 Jul 2025 | 12:00 | 1 min. read | video
This video captures highlights from the event: Wild Animals Not Pets – The Case for an EU Positive List.
A gathering of policymakers, experts, and animal welfare advocates at the European Parliament to discuss the trade in wild animals and its implications for welfare, health, and biodiversity. Speakers reflected on the importance of: Establishing an EU-wide positive list of species permitted as pets
Addressing the risks wild animal trade poses to animal welfare, public health, and biodiversity
Tackling fragmented national rules and the need for harmonised EU legislation
Strengthening EU animal welfare frameworks to better protect wild species At a time when animal welfare and biodiversity face increasing pressures, these insights point to the need for coherent, science-based policies that safeguard both animals and society. Euractiv is part of the Trust Project More from this section
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Euractiv
18 hours ago
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Delay in Bulgaria's free antibiotics plan for children sparks resistance fears
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Euractiv
18 hours ago
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Last-resort antibiotic excluded from Belgian system, testing EU pharma reforms
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While Belgium is monitoring EU-level initiatives, including push and pull incentives and alternative financing mechanisms, the minister acknowledged: 'There are currently no concrete plans to introduce a subscription financing model like in the United Kingdom.' Company calls for pan-European rethink The product's manufacturer, Shionogi, told Euractiv that Belgium's decision reflects a systemic issue across Europe. 'Reserve antibiotics play a vital role in treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, often when no other options remain,' the company said. 'Although used in very small patient populations, these antibiotics offer immense public health value, yet current reimbursement systems are not designed for low-volume, high-importance medicines.' The company cited remarks made by Minister Vandenbroucke during an AMR conference held under the Belgian Presidency of the Council in June 2024: 'Look at antibiotics: they should not be used too much. 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In Belgium, as across Europe, we're always open to solutions that deliver timely access for patients, reward responsible use, and make continued innovation in antibiotics possible,' the company's CEO Huw Tippett told Euractiv. A test case for the EU's Pharmaceutical Package Despite Belgium's efforts to strike a deal, MP De Knop warned that the lack of reimbursement leaves patients at risk. 'The result remains that this antibiotic, which is particularly important for a small group of people, is currently not reimbursed,' she said. 'You also did not present an immediate solution,' pointing to the minister. Belgium plans to introduce 'early and fast access' procedures by 2026, but currently lacks a dedicated funding stream for reserve antimicrobials. With no viable market and limited public procurement tools, cefiderocol has become a test case for Europe's broader pharmaceutical policy agenda. Antibiotic incentives are central to the EU's Pharmaceutical Package, currently under negotiation. The European Commission has proposed transferable exclusivity vouchers and pull incentives to stimulate antimicrobial innovation, though these remain politically contentious. Under the Belgian Council Presidency in June 2024, EU health ministers adopted Council conclusions calling on the European Commission and Member States to 'explore alternative reimbursement models, such as subscription-based schemes,' and to strengthen 'EU-level coordination to ensure sustainable access to critical antimicrobials.' These conclusions were part of the strategy paper 'The Future of the European Health Union: a Europe that cares, prepares and protects.' While often associated with generic shortages, the proposed Critical Medicines Act also introduces tools such as joint procurement, strategic stockpiling, and EU-wide demand coordination, all of which could be applicable to patented, last-resort antibiotics like cefiderocol. [Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi]


Euractiv
3 days ago
- Euractiv
Mounting pressure on Sweden over Gaza medevac refusals
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