Exotic or emerging infectious threats are ever present and their potential environmental consequences are a growing concern. Endemic and production diseases are often overlooked, although they exert the maximum trouble to animal welfare. The disease threats to the livestock industry have increased steadily as a result of intensification of livestock production, globalisation, evolving pathogens and climate change.

Objectives

Building on the experience and achievements of the previous ERA-Net EMIDA, the Animal Health and Welfare ERA-Net (ANIHWA) aims to increase cooperation and coordination of national research programmes on animal health and welfare of farm animals, including fish and bees. The cooperation and coordination among the partners will be deepened by systematic exchange of information and mapping of national research activities and facilities, gap analysis and preparation of a dedicated strategic research agenda, thorough assessment of the funding mechanisms with increased number of joint calls and finally strategic activities aimed at a sustainable development and extension of the network.

The consortium

The consortium consists of 30 partner organisations from 19 countries: Member State Countries (17); Associated Countries (2). The consortium will be led by INRA, FR. The Consortium represents the leading national financing bodies for Animal Health And Animal Welfare research in the EU, with funds estimated at over €250 Million annually.

The Consortium contains members from the different zones from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe and with interest in the various livestock sectors including fish, bees and horses as food producing animals.

It also includes funders of basic, strategic and applied science, allowing a joined-up approach, which should improve delivery.