Welcome to the January edition of the EFA online newsletter!

We would like to wish you all the very best for 2006. On 1 January 2006, you may be interested to know that the Austrian government took over the EU presidency for six months and you can read about the new presidency’s work plan in this ezine.
Some ‘home news’, we are delighted to let you know that Erna Botjes, President of the Dutch Food Allergy Organization, member of EFA, has kindly agreed to be the EFA Project Member and representative for the EuroPrevall project (Prevalence, Cost and Basis of Food Allergy in Europe). She takes the place of Erkka Valovirta who unfortunately had to step down because of too many commitments. Erna is very motivated, knowledgeable in food allergy issues, and has in addition to her own organisation been very active in EFA in food allergy issues. We wish her all the very best and you can find some information and a brief summary of what the EuroPrevall project stands for below.
Last month I asked for your news, so that we can include it in the ezine – and also perhaps on the EFA website. We will be emailing you a ’Call for News’ at the beginning of every month for a few lines, no more, on any news that you may have on asthma, allergy, COPD or health legislation in general, in your country, that may be of interest to members. We look forward to hearing from you!
Details about EFA’s annual conference on 10-13 May 2006 in Prague are now available on our website and you can find further details and how to register on the home page (www.efanet.org)
Additionally, please note in your diaries that the Annual Conference of Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN) is due to take place on 29 March – 1 April 2006, in Berlin. EFA members are invited to the GA²LEN in Action session 30 March and public event and EFA-GA²LEN workshop 31 March. Special invitation and reply slip follow shortly.

Best wishes, Svein-Erik Myrseth - EFA President

Introducing EuroPrevall

EFA is participating in EuroPrevall (Prevalence, Cost and Basis of Food Allergy in Europe), that draws attention to the 11-26 million people in Europe suffering from food allergies. The ultimate goal is to increase the quality of life of people with food allergies.
The project, which receives financial support from the European Commission, has 54 partners in 16 European member-states, as well as Bulgaria, Switzerland and Iceland, and Ghana. Partners include 15 clinical organisations, six small-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and leading European allergy research organisations. EuroPrevall brings together all relevant stakeholder groups involved in the food allergy business; as a first step to assuring the production of safe food to everybody, even for those who are severely affected. By increasing awareness, information and knowledge of food allergies, patient organisations have already been working successfully for many years in Europe. EuroPrevall’s strategy draws together not only education and information, but also the scientific, political and commercial angle to ensure that people with food allergies in Europe can eat safe food whatever their age or circumstances.
EFA’s main role within the project is to ensure that patient perspective is incorporated into the parts of the project dealing particularly with management of food allergies across Europe and assess, develop and disseminate tools for patients.
You can find further information about the project at EuroPrevall website..

European Commission invites patient group to join Pharmaceutical Forum 

The European Patients’ Forum (EPF) has been invited to be a member of the Pharmaceutical Forum, launched by the European Commission (DG Enterprise and DG SANCO). The Pharmaceutical Forum is a response to the conclusions of the Competitiveness and Health Councils of end 2003 and to the recommendations of the ‘G10 Medicines Group’, a group created by previous Health Commissioner David Byrne in 2001 to explore ways of improving industry competitiveness in Europe while encouraging high levels of public health.
The Pharmaceutical Forum will address Information to Patients, Relative Effectiveness, Pricing and Reimbursement. These three items are outstanding issues of the G10 process. The first meeting of the Steering Group took place in Brussels at the beginning of December 2005 and we keenly await the conclusions.
Source: EEN

Implementation of the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health 2004-2010

The implementation of the EU Action Plan on Environment and Health 2004-2010 is moving forward with the publication of six working papers by the Commission outlining options for next steps for comment by the Consultative Forum on Environment and Health. EFA is a member of the Consultative Forum and will attend the next meeting in Luxembourg on 19 April, where the implementation strategy is due to be discussed. Issues on the agenda are ambient and indoor air as well as food. We will keep you informed.

New Austrian EU Presidency Work Programme

At the end of December the Austrian foreign minister Ursula Plassnik indicated that her country's incoming six-month EU presidency will not push for the adoption of the EU constitution, presenting a modest working programme together with Austria's successor Finland. Austrian and Finland (due to hold the EU Presidency for the second half of 2006) released a joint Operational Programme and this sets out the main objectives that we can expect for this year's work of the Council. The two presidencies will work closely together in order to ensure that the work of the Council during 2006 contributes to economic and social welfare, protection of the environment, freedom and security of European citizens as well as strengthening the role of the Union within the world. EFA welcomes the fact that one of the Austrian Presidency’s main priorities is improving air quality, alongside with climate change and environmental technologies..
Source: ENSP

Disappointment for Environment Campaigners

The European Commission published its review of the Sustainable Development Strategy which was greeted with disappointment for its lack of ambition and targets by environmental and health groups. The EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy aims, in tandem with the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs, for a more prosperous, cleaner and fairer Europe. The review, which covers public health as well as social inclusion, clean energy and transport, had enormous potential. Disappointingly, under the public health chapter, the environmental health focus leaves out any action and relegates itself to mere coordination of research into the links. The heads of state and the European Parliament will respond to this proposal over the next six months. 
Source: EEN

Smoking in the workplace banned in Belgium

As from 1 January 2006, smoking is banned in all enclosed workplaces under the employer’s authority and to which workers have access (workplaces and social facilities). The smoking ban also applies in spaces used by self-employed persons working with employees, to which such employees have access. Smoking will only be allowed in premises exclusively and solely intended for smoking. However the employer has no obligation to provide these.  Belgium will implement measures in January 2007 that will allow smoking in restaurants only in separate rooms that are completely closed off from the rest of the building and where no food is served. Bars and cafes will be exempt from the ban, though they must have adequate ventilation and a non-smoking zone.
Source: ENSP

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