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November 2024

One Health governance in the European Union

Human health, animal health, plant health and the health of our environment are deeply connected, forming a single common system. Policymakers need to recognise these connections, and do more to seek optimal outcomes for people, animals, the environment, and the ecosystems that we are all part of, rather than taking a narrow anthropocentric view.

This integrated approach is known as 'One Health'. There is strong scientific evidence for the connections themselves, and for the benefits of applying a One Health approach to policymaking in all the areas affected, from health systems and food production and safety, to zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, neglected infectious tropical diseases and the environment.

Applying a One Health approach will also be essential for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved.

Some European countries are already applying One Health principles in their own policymaking. At EU level, major policies that already fit with this approach include:

  • General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (8th EAP)
  • Zero Pollution Action Plan
  • Animal Health Law
  • Strategy on Climate Change

Other EU policies would benefit from a greater emphasis on One Health, especially in food and agriculture, where a paradigm shift is needed towards more ecologically, socially and economically sustainable systems. These policies include:

  • European Green Deal
  • Farm-to-Fork Strategy
  • Plant Health Law
  • Habitats Directive
  • Biodiversity Strategy
  • crisis preparedness legislation

To put this into practice, the EU needs more integration between different policy areas both within the European Commission and among European institutions, supported by strong political leadership.

The EU should also play an active role in regional, local and global efforts to develop more integrated policies. Europe should promote the sharing of best practice between governments and stakeholders, and the inclusion of a One Health perspective in education, professional training, and public awareness.

Europe must also expand its surveillance and monitoring systems, which currently have a medical focus, to detect emerging threats across species and environments, where near real-time information is essential. Effective monitoring requires both qualitative and quantitative performance indicators, which in turn requires a clear understanding of the types of data that should be monitored and how to collect and standardise them.

Finally, a review of existing scientific evidence points to research gaps in the cost-effectiveness of individual policy interventions related to One Health, as well as a thorough understanding of the relationships between mental health, physical health, and social conditions. More interdisciplinary research is also needed into relevant technological innovations, and into human behaviours that affect One Health, such as wildlife trade, farming practices, water management, and vaccination acceptance.

Scientific advice

Requested by

Delivery date

15 November 2024

Supports EU mission

Adaptation to climate change

Supports UN sustainable development goals

Good health and wellbeing
Sustainable cities and communities

The Group of Chief Scientific Advisors responds to the request for advice from the European Commission.

Their policy recommendations are based on the best available scientific evidence.

One Health scientific opinion cover
Bibliographic information
DOI
10.2777/8697309
ISBN
9789268218037
Licence
Creative Commons Attribution
Cite as
European Commission: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation & Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. (2024). One Health Governance in the European Union. Publications Office of the European Union.
The Scientific Opinion is written jointly by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. Former Advisors (‘alumni’) may also contribute.
Naomi Ellemers

Naomi Ellemers

Advisor
Portrait of Nicole Grobert

Nicole Grobert

Advisor
Portrait of Maarja Kruusmaa

Maarja Kruusmaa

Advisor
Portrait of Eric Lambin

Eric Lambin

Advisor
Portrait of Alberto Melloni

Alberto Melloni

Advisor
Portrait of Nebojša Nakićenović

Nebojša Nakićenović

Advisor
Portrait of Eva Zažímalová

Eva Zažímalová

Advisor

Events

21 November to 
22 November 2024
One Health Conference
In-person event
Co-chair Jakob Zinsstag will present the report on One Health governance in the European Union during in-person session of this conference.
15 November 2024
17th European Public Health Conference 2024
In-person event with streaming
Eva Zažímalová, our advisor, will present recommendations on the One Health topic during the plenary session: One Health in Europe: from concept to practice.
6 November 2024
Healthy cities, but for whom? Thinking cities through the lens of One Health
In-person event
Engaging exchange with two experts on the One Health approach, aiming to: Encourage audience discussion on One Health and its implications, explore governance for healthy and promote the SAM, the role of academies in the SAM, and the One Health for Cities project.
13 November 2023
One Health conference
In-person event with streaming
The event will address the importance of adopting an interconnected approach to health by acknowledging the interdependencies between human, animal, plant and environmental health to better prevent, detect, prepare for and respond to global health threats at global and EU levels.
Uncle SAM

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