Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-04-12-Speech-2-316"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2005-04-12"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Global threat of a flu epidemic2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20050412.30.2-316"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2005-04-12-Speech-2-3172
lpv:speaker	lp:Jules Maaten2
lpv:spokenAs	member; Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (2004-09-15--2007-03-13)3 substitute; Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (2004-09-15--2007-02-14)3 member; ENVI (2004-07-21--2007-01-14)3 substitute; ECON (2004-07-22--2007-01-14)3 member_of_the_bureau; ALDE (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 unknown; Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (2004-07-20--2009-07-13)3 substitute; AFCO (2004-09-03--2007-01-14)3
lpv:translated text	". It might be said that we are talking to the wrong person today. Commissioner, you are asking us for our support, and we do, of course, give it to you without reserve, because I think that you deal with the issue very well within the limits imposed on you by the framework of the Treaties, by which – whether we like it or not – we are bound. It is actually with the Council that we should be discussing this subject. It has been commented before that one does not get the feeling that the Council is aware of an enormous threat against which something must be done. Despite the discussions, coordination attempts and study groups here and there, one does not get the impression that something is actually being done. Is that such a bad thing? Yes, of course this is, in today’s society, and certainly in the European Union, a very serious thing, for if something goes wrong in one Member State, it has repercussions for the others. It follows that it is in our interest that everything should go well across the EU. In the case of an outbreak of an animal disease, the Commissioner for Agriculture can take far-reaching decisions straight away. Immediately, streets are blocked off, whole areas sealed off and a great deal is done. If something similar were to happen among people, we would not be able to do anything. I think that you, Commissioner, should be able to take contingency measures within 24 hours as regards issues such as quarantine, disinfection measures at airports and flights from certain regions, but also where travel restrictions are concerned. Needless to say, it would be far preferable if all Member States, in an upsurge of solidarity and unanimity, were to take such measures collectively and simultaneously, but frankly I do not hold out any hopes of this happening. I therefore believe that the Public Health Ministers should be granting you those powers. You were right in saying that, according to the WHO, it is not a question of ‘if’ the pandemic were to break out, but of ‘when’ it will. Their estimate was 8 million casualties, but that could also be 30 million. Children and people over 50 would, of course, be at high risk, and we do not have enough vaccines and antiviral medicines. Here, too, European intervention is crucial. Where should this take place? Maybe this should be undertaken in one of the EU’s neighbouring countries rather than in the EU itself. This is where I think the Ministers should once again be granting you far-reaching powers. One final thought. If travel were to be restricted, what would become of the meetings of the Council and of this House?"@en1

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