explanatorymemorandum.doc

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSED ACT Reasons for and objectives of the proposal The aim of the proposed Decision is to streamline and strengthen European Union capacities and structures for effectively responding to serious cross-border health threats. These threats can be events caused by communicable diseases, biological agents responsible for non-communicable diseases, and threats of chemical, environmental, or unknown origin. Threats deriving from the effects of climate change (i.e. heat waves, cold spells) are included in the scope of this Decision and covered under the same heading as environmental threats. Health threats of radiological or nuclear origin causing exposure to ionising radiation are not covered by this proposal because they are already dealt with by the provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Articles 2(b) and 30-39), which constitutes the ‘lex specialis’ in relation to Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Based on lessons learnt from recent public health emergencies and building on existing EU-level instruments related to health threats, this proposal will set up a coherent framework for crisis response. Although the Member States have the responsibility to manage public health crises at national level, no country can tackle a cross border public health crisis on its own. In the current financial turmoil it is more important than ever to focus on actions in areas where the added value is evident, such as minimising the negative effects of a potential public health crisis. Recent cross-border events such as the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, the volcanic ash cloud and toxic red sludge in 2010, or the outbreak of E. coli STEC O104 in 2011, had significant effects on society and demonstrated that none of the impacts of these emergencies can be confined to only one sector. Therefore, through improved multi-sectoral cooperation at EU level other sectors need to be equally pre