Images of half-empty supermarket shelves are becoming all too common as European countries struggle to limit the effects of the coronavirus, a pandemic that has changed what everyday life looks like for everyone… So, what is the EU doing to protect the agri-food supply chain and ensure food security during the pandemic?

EPRS policy podcast - Protecting the EU agri-food supply chain in the face of COVID-19

Despite significant medical progress over the last centuries, infectious diseases such as influenza or malaria still represent a considerable threat to society. While some are endemic to specific geographical regions, others can spread, becoming epidemics or pandemics. While the first and most crucial aspect of an epidemic is, and will always remain, the loss of human life, the spread of a virus can also have important repercussions for national or regional economies. The evidence reported in various studies indicates that epidemic disease impacts on a country's economy through several channels, including the health, transportation, agricultural and tourism sectors. At the same time, trade with other countries may also be impacted, while the interconnectedness of modern economies means that an epidemic can also implicate international supply chains....

Economic impact of epidemics and pandemics

On 28 May 2020, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on the establishment of a programme for the Union's action in the field of health for the 2021-2027 period (EU4Health programme). It was announced as part of the Next Generation EU recovery instrument, aimed at countering the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Parliament is expected to vote on the report during the November I plenary session. This would open the way for trilogue negotiations.

EU4Health (2020)

All across Europ​e, people are ​showing unprecedented solidarity in the face of the COVID-19 Coronavirus both in words and actions since the continent became ​the epicentre ​of the pandemic.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, tributes to healthcare workers are pouring in, as Europe gives medical heroes a standing ovation from windows and balconies, singing from balcony to balcony; neighbours helping one another by doing groceries, babysitting or taking dogs for a walk; prisoners sewing masks to meet the shortage of supply; restaurants delivering free food to hospitals; concerts, DJ sets, theatre and ballet shows are being live-streamed. 
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All these are just a few examples of Europeans showing their solidarity.

Covid 19 - Europeans show solidarity

EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss further coordination on COVID-19, climate change, trade, security and external relations. On 11 December the leaders also meet for the Euro Summit.

They discuss the overall coordination effort in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including work on vaccines and testing, they aim to agree a new EU emissions reduction target for 2030, they exchange views on the trade agenda, they address security issues and in particular the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. In line with its conclusions of October 2020, the European Council come back to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and relations with Turkey. Leaders also discuss EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood.

European Council, 10-11 December 2020

The EU Digital COVID Certificate aims to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic.The certificate should&nbsp;be available in either digital or paper format. It attests that a person has been vaccinated against coronavirus or has a recent negative test result or has recovered from the infection.

&nbsp;A common EU framework is&nbsp;allowing member states to issue certificates that will then be accepted in other EU countries. The EU Digital Covid Certificate regulation should be&nbsp;in place for 12 months. The certificate should&nbsp;not be a precondition to exercise the right to free movement and is&nbsp;not&nbsp;considered a travel document.

Member states should not impose additional travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as quarantine, self-isolation or testing, “unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health”. Member states must accept vaccination certificates issued in other member states for persons inoculated with a vaccine authorised for use in the EU by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

It is&nbsp;up to the member states to decide whether they also accept vaccination certificates that have been authorised by other Member States following national authorisation procedures or for vaccines listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for emergency use. The Regulation entered&nbsp;into force on&nbsp;1 July 2021.
 Parliament and EU member states’ negotiators have agreed to keep the EU Digital COVID Certificate framework in place for another year, until June 2023

EU Digital COVID certificate

Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future

EP Plenary session - Meeting the Global Covid 19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries

Trilogue on the EU COVID-19 certificate

BECA Special Committee - Exchange of views  ' The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer prevention, health services and cancer patients and research : Lessons from a public health crisis '

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Digital green certificate - Union citizens & third countries - The accessibility and affordability of Covid-testing

EP Plenary session - Saving the summer tourism season - EU support to the hospitality sector

Press Webinar - The return to free movement - The EU Green Digital Certificate

Civil Protection training

ENVI Committee -  Exchange of views with the World Health Organization on the European Union Health Union package and the WHOâs global response to the pandemic

Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), heart of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. It coordinates the delivery of assistance to disaster stricken countries, such as relief items, expertise, civil protection teams and specialised equipment.

Civil Protection Mechanism RescEU medical stockpile Belgium in Meer

Stockshot picture showing what could be a COVID-19 Green Certificate for traveling

Stockshot of sport event - Basketball

LIBE Committee - COVID-19 pandemic Digital Green Certificate

UN CSW 65 Side event : Gender equality in the Covid-19 recovery

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with  Emer Cooke,EMA Executive Director, on the update of evaluation and authorisation of COVID-19 vaccines

ENVI Committee - COVID-19 variants and the vaccines' efficacy

EP Plenary session - Statement - Tackling Covid effects: investment, competitiveness, skills

FEMM Committee - Inter-parliamentary Committee Meeting - International Women’s Day 2021 ' We are strong: Women leading the fight against Covid-19 '

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs on behalf of Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines - O.Q. to Commission: closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the joint debate on the health and disease prevention and will debate and vote on two laws to strengthen the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and better tackle cross-border health threats. (continuation of the second part of the debate)

Joint debate - Health and disease prevention: MEPs debate (continuation of part 2/2)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the joint debate on the health and disease prevention and will debate and vote on two laws to strengthen the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and better tackle cross-border health threats. (second part of the debate)

Joint debate - Health and disease prevention: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the joint debate on the health and disease prevention and will debate and vote on two laws to strengthen the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and better tackle cross-border health threats. (First part of the debate)

Joint debate - Health and disease prevention: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the joint debate on the health and disease prevention and will debate and vote on two laws to strengthen the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and better tackle cross-border health threats. Opening statements by Margarita DE LA PISA CARRIÓN (ECR, ES) and Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), rapporteurs, and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

Joint debate on the health and disease prevention: opening statements by Margarita DE LA PISA CARRIÓN (ECR, ES), Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), rapporteurs and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the joint debate on the health and disease prevention and will debate and vote on two laws to strengthen the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and better tackle cross-border health threats. Closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

Joint debate - Health and disease prevention: closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

This Infoclip illustrates the fight against Covid-19 crisis : research on vaccines, production of vaccines, vaccination all around Europe, EU Digital Covid Certificate. This infoclip also highlights work of nurses, doctors and technicians searching for cancer treatments and taking care of their patients.

Infoclip: Health crisis

This Infoclip illustrates the economics topics in the perspective of the SOTEU 2021 and during the Covid-19 pandemic era (Economical crisis, Recovery Fund, workers, Green deal).

Infoclip: EU Recovery plan

Press conference prior to the debate in Plenary on a stronger role for the European Medicines Agency and extending its mandate to prepare for crises and manage medicinal products and medical devices, following lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Press conference by Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), rapporteur, on reinforcing the mandate of the European Medicines Agency

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on European Medicines Agency.

European Medicines Agency: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on European Medicines Agency: opening statements by Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D,ES), Rapporteur and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Medicines Agency: opening statements by Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES (S&D, ES), Rapporteur and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on European Medicines Agency: closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

European Medicines Agency: closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

Members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) exchange views with Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life on the 'lessons learnt' from the pandemic, in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Drawing the early lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in ENVI Committee: Exchange of views

Members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) exchange views with Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life on the 'lessons learnt' from the pandemic, in the European Parliament in Brussels. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Drawing the early lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in ENVI Committee: opening statements by the Chair and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life

Announcement of the results of the voting session (09/06) during the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Final votes on the conflict of interest of the Czech Prime Minister and the agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and increasing production and manufacturing capacity in developing countries and others. The results of the vote on the conflict of interest of the Czech Prime Minister are 690 voting - 505 in favour - 30 against - 155 abstentions. The results of the vote on WTO TRIPS (vaccine agreement) are 689 voting - 355 in favour - 263 against - and 71 abstentions.

Announcement of the results of the voting session (09/06): final votes on the conflict of interest of the Czech Prime Minister, and the agreement on Covid-19 vaccines and others

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the preparation of the G7 Summit: extracts from the debate. Statements by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and President in office of the Council of the EU, Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the EC in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, Radosław SIKORSKI (EPP, PL), EPP Group Speaker, Dacian CIOLOŞ (Renew, RO), Renew Group leader, Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), S&D Group leader, and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Greens/EFA Group leader

Preparation of the G7 Summit: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the conclusions of the special meeting of the European Council on 24 and 25 May 2021: extracts from the debates on EU Vaccines strategy. Statements by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Dacian CIOLOŞ (Renew, RO), Ska KELLER (Greens/EFA, DE), and Beata SZYDŁO (ECR, PL).

EU Vaccines strategy: extracts from the debate

Announcement of the results of the voting session (08/06) during the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Result on vote on the EU Digital COVID Certificate: amendment 26 : 690 voting, 546 in favour, 93 against and 51 abstentions. Amendment 27: 690 voting, 575 in favour, 72 against and 43 abstention. Approuved.

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