Europe is facing a very unfavourable disease situation, with higher frequency and intensity of animal disease outbreaks

Omissions

• The claim does not specify particular diseases or timeframes. The avian influenza epidemic that began in September 2022 continued through 2023-2024, affecting 26 EU Member States, though some EFSA reports indicate HPAI cases have shown seasonal decline patterns in certain periods. The data cited is from 2024 and early 2025, published in 2025, which would have been available before the April 2026 session date.

Sources

• PrimaryEFSA - European Union One Health 2024 Zoonoses ReportThe number of food-borne outbreaks reported in 2024 (6,558) increased by 14.5% compared to 2023. Sheep pox and goat pox (SGP) have re-emerged in Europe with unprecedented intensity during 2024-2025, particularly affecting Greece and Bulgaria.
• PrimaryEFSA - Avian influenza annual report 2023The avian influenza epidemic that began in September 2022 continued into 2023, affecting wild birds, poultry and captive birds in 26 EU Member States.