Ms Paola Colombo:

I am indeed the director of the audit service of the Commission. We are in charge of auditing and inspecting the control system on food safety, animal health, plant health and also human health and medical devices. We carry out these activities both in member states and non-EU countries. The general position on animal health in Europe is quite good. We also have some emergencies, but we are containing them very well.

The Deputy's question was about the general use of antimicrobials. I am a veterinarian and my view is that we are dealing with these issues very seriously. At European level, we have legislation prohibiting the use of antibiotics as growth promoters. We have on the table important legislation dealing with veterinary medicines and medicated animal feed.

This legislation is unfortunately not progressing as quickly as we had expected. This is, however, probably the only missing link in effectively fighting antimicrobial resistance. Overall, we are already very much ahead internationally compared to other trade partners in fighting antimicrobial resistance in animals and in the veterinary field. We could do even better if this proposal were to be adopted.