The Cross-agency One Health TF will facilitate strategic coordination among the EU agencies

In November 2023, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) established a cross-agency task force to successfully contribute to the implementation of the One Health agenda in the EU, whose  ultimate goal was strengthening the ability of the EU and its Member States to respond to a health crisis (Cross-agency One Health task force). 

The Cross-agency task force has published a joint framework for action to be implemented over the next three years (2024-2026), focusing on five strategic objectives: strategic coordination, research coordination, capacity building, stakeholder engagement and joint inter-agency activities.

The joint publication includes a table of operational objectives and actions to promote and consolidate transdisciplinary cooperation among the five EU agencies.

In the area of risk assessment of PPPs, the actions referring to “Work with colleagues to prevent scientific divergences (e.g. aligning approval processes and external consultations; supporting establishment of joint working groups; sharing experts and promoting coordination of scientific networks of respective agencies)” are especially relevant.

This will ensure that the scientific advice provided by the agencies is integrated, that the evidence base for One Health is strengthened, and that the agencies can to contribute with a common voice to the One Health agenda in the EU, as well as when evaluating plant protection products.