NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
12 Intensive, But Fruitful Months
for the Animal Health Industry in Europe
Brussels, Belgium, 20 June 2002: The past 12 months have seen extremely intensive activity in the European animal health industry and the effort has borne fruit, the members of FEDESA (the European Federation of Animal Health) heard at their Annual General Assembly in Brussels on 19th June 2002. FEDESA’s President, Dr. Horst Geilhausen, presented the Annual Report of the previous 12 months. Particularly noteworthy, he said, was the fact that every single month the federation of the animal health industry had achieved at least one success that would help the members. And these were concrete successes, he reported, things that had meant something good for the members’ businesses and, thus, the availability of veterinary medicines, such as saving money or saving time by streamlining market access. Because by making sure that the authorities understand the special nature of the animal health industry, he continued, positive changes could be made, with a view to increasing the medicines available to treat our companion animals and farm animals.
Dr. Geilhausen stressed that each and every one of the successes has had or will have a tangible impact on the members’ business, whether they were aware of it or not.
In addition, Dr. Geilhausen highlighted the fact that, via its ongoing contact building, the federation had built up a strong group of counterparts and allied organisations who regularly consult with the animal health industry, meaning that the industry – via its federation and national associations – is represented at all levels of the European decision-making process.
Dr. Geilhausen continued by stressing that Europe is experiencing a time of intense change, not only with elections in many Member States this year, but also with just one year to prepare for EU enlargement. Furthermore, he highlighted the fact that there was serious change afoot in the animal health industry sector, with a new legislative framework (currently under discussion in the European Parliament) that will be finalised in the coming months. It already showed great improvement on the current framework thanks to the input of FEDESA and its members, but he affirmed that, if all the work paid off, the industry could experience a new dawn, with a legislative framework that is sensitive to the specific requirements of our patients, and their owners but also in safeguarding our supply of safe and wholesome food.
Dr. Geilhausen concluded by saying that although he did not have a crystal ball and could not see into the future, of one thing he was sure: “If we think the world we live in is complicated now, it will only get more so in the future.”
He encouraged the members by telling them that, although the animal health industry is small in size, with limited resources, it is an industry with a huge and valuable role in society. But he also reminded the members that none of the successes had happened by accident, and that to continue what he called “the chain of success, which is a fragile thing and can break at any time,” continuity and follow-up were vital.
And this, he said, was the crucial role of a federation, to ensure that industry had information on the people and processes involved in its sector. By continuing to be committed, involved and informed, he stated, the members could make sure that these changes continue to be as successful for the industry as they had been this year. And, he concluded, no company could do this alone – they needed to continue to stick together to make it work.
The General Assembly warmly welcomed Dr. Geilhausen’s presentation and followed up by examining and approving the specific projects that would be undertaken in the next 12 months to continue the representation at all levels of the EU’s decision-making process. And in conclusion, the members voted for a continuation of a strong, European-specific federation to continue to represent the animal health industry in Europe.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
1. Copies of the FEDESA Annual Report 2001-2002 are available at no cost from the FEDESA offices as well as on the website at http://www.ifahsec.org/europe/annual_report.htm. The Annual Report details month-by-month the changes in the European animal health sector that FEDESA consultation has helped to solve and contains additional information to help illustrate the results obtained by FEDESA with concrete examples.
2. FEDESA, the European Federation of Animal Health, represents the animal health industry in Europe. Its membership comprises 16 national associations and 17 companies active in the research, development and marketing of veterinary medicines. FEDESA works towards a European environment where the value of safe and effective animal health products is recognised and where these high-quality products can be developed, registered and provided quickly and economically. |
