Since the 1960s, the EU has laid down
rules to protect animals against a wide
range of diseases and to ensure that
animal products meet safe standards.
These measures have been important both
in ensuring the safety of food of animal
origin and in reducing economic losses
incurred through outbreaks. The rules
have been developed, revised, updated
and added to as necessary over the years,
and a solid body of veterinary legislation is
now in place. Some laws outline a general
approach to maintaining healthy animals,
for example strict rules on animal feed and
veterinary requirements. Others focus on
preventing, monitoring, controlling
and eradicating animal diseases, as
well as on responding to serious outbreaks.
Particular attention has also been given to
zoonoses – animal diseases which are
transmissible to humans – and there are a
number of specific rules on the monitoring
and reduction of zoonotic animal diseases
such as Salmonella.