The European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EUP AH&W, acronym EUPAHW) is by far the most ambitious research and innovation initiative the European commission (EC) has funded to control infectious diseases of animals, and to promote animal welfare. Launched this year (2024), the innovative Partnership is anticipated to invest €360 million over seven years to boost research and facilitate cooperation between all actors. The scope goes beyond the animal health and welfare actors to enhance cross sector collaboration and, through a One Health and One Welfare approach, to provide societal impact. The objectives of the EUP AH&W align with the European Green Deal and its associated Farm to Fork strategy for a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system.
The ambitious objectives of the EUP AH&W have attracted a diverse pool of partners, including 56 leading research performing organizations and 30 funding organizations in Europe. The budget is 50% funded by the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme, and 50% by EUP AH&W partner institutions. To date, the Partnership has brought together 90 entities (research-performing institutions, funding organisations, and ministries), including EFSA and EMA, from 24 countries (19 EU Member States and 5 countries associated to Horizon Europe).
The Partnership is based on a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), which has been developed during a two-year period involving all relevant actors. The SRIA balances short term applied and strategic research. Infectious diseases both of terrestrial and aquatic animals, and zoonotic risks such as bird flu are addressed, together with research to improve animal welfare. The Partnership also focuses on the prudent use of antimicrobials and ensuring that a high level of animal welfare is provided in every phase of an animal’s life. The Partnership includes 17 three-year research projects which start in 2024 and plans to launch research calls reaching out to additional research performing organisations, and funding organisations not yet involved in the Partnership.
Quote from Nathalie Vanderheijden, University of Ghent, coordinator of the EUP AH&W: “Our partnership is a new, open initiative, bringing together EC funding, national/regional funders and research performing organisations to concentrate efforts on developments with high societal, economic and policy impact. Belgium, with its current presidency of the European Council for six months, appreciates the potential of unity in driving change!”.
Quote from EFSA’s Chief Scientist Carlos Das Neves: “We are pleased to announce that EFSA will be a full partner of the European Partnership Animal Health & Welfare. This is the first time that we will be a beneficiary in a research partnership tool of Horizon Europe, which will enable for a smoother transition from research to regulatory science. We are prepared and committed to bring our expertise to the table, together with the best experts in Europe, for the benefit of animal health and welfare”.
Notes to editors
- The European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare started on 1st of January 2024, and held its kick-off meeting on the 26th and 27th of February 2024 in Brussels. The signature of the Grant Agreement by all partners was effective on March 29, 2024.
Additional information on the EUP AH&W will be available at: www.eupahw.eu
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
