As regards the animal health aspects, the products of animal origin that give rise to a risk of introduction of animal diseases into the Union, such as fresh meat and meat products, milk and dairy products and other products of animal origin, are only allowed to be imported into the Union if all the relevant animal health guarantees provided for in the Union import legislation are fulfilled.

One of the most important aims of the Commission proposal is to ensure the proper functioning of the single market in animals and animal products whilst ensuring a high level of protection of animal and public health, and supporting the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is a representative intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.

Gathering analysing and summarising information on animal health in the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Mediterranean areas, especially as regards diseases which are spread across borders, is of paramount importance for the Community, in order to prevent threats to animal health within its territory.

The Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on a new Animal Health Strategy for the European Union (2007 to 2013) where ‘Prevention is better than cure’ (3) identifies animal-related threat prevention, surveillance and crisis preparedness as one of the pillars of the new animal health strategy.

In view of the need for an integrated approach to the food chain and animal and plant health in order to protect consumers, it is important to include all issues of food legislation in the consultation systems, including aspects relating to the labelling and presentation of food and feed, safety of food and feed, human nutrition in relation to food legislation, animal health, including measures relating to animal welfare, and the various aspects of plant health, such as plant protection, plant protection products and their residues, and conditions for the marketing of seed and propagation material, including biodiversity, and including m ...[+++]atters pertaining to industrial property.