Infectious diseases: importance of co-ordinated activity in Europe

ASAC published on 14 June 2005 a report on infectious diseases and the need for co-ordinated activity in Europe. In the report EASAC describes major challenges facing Europe from newly-emerging and long-standing infectious diseases, for example, the threat of new influenza variants, novel microbes such as SARS, resurgent infections such as TB, growing antimicrobial resistance and the continuing threat of bioterrorism. There are key issues to resolve in terms of - the opportunities for improved disease surveillance and public health infrastructure, - the basic research agenda, - support for the pharmaceutical and vaccine industry sectors, - the needs of developing countries and newer EU member states, - scientific responsibility, and - public engagement

Impacts of pollution from outside the European Union on Europe’s environmental targets

EASAC published on 17 June 2004 a statement on atmospheric pollution in the EU. The statement highlights the growth in concentration of atmospheric ozone, which is moving towards levels that could have serious health and environmental implications. The statement also draws attention to the fact that many pollutants found in the EU have their origin in other parts of the northern hemisphere, and that effective control of atmospheric pollution must involve cooperation among the major countries in the northern hemisphere

Genomics and crop plant science in Europe

EASAC published on 24 May 2004 a report on genomics and crop plant science in Europe. The report concludes that the successful application of new tools and methods in plant genetics to conventional farming is being held back in the European Union by the lack of a coherent research strategy and the impact of legislation. The report identifies a number of ways in which plant genetics could improve agricultural methods other than through genetic modification, and calls for spending levels on research in the European Union to match those in North America. It also recommends that Member States give more help to the development of plant genetics in developing countries

Towards 3%: attainment of the Barcelona target

EASAC published on 6 April 2004 a report of a workshop organised in the European Parliament at the request of the EP Industry Committee. The workshop was centred round EASAC case studies of the growth in R&D spending in Finland and Sweden, and included also papers on intellectual property issues, on regional analysis of R&D spend in Hungary and on comparisons between the EU and the USA. The overall focus was on what could be learned from these experiences of relevance to the achievement of the Barcelona target of increasing general expenditure on R&D to 3% of GDP within the European Union