EAZA Brussels Advocacy Days

During the first day, participants met with representatives from the European Commission (DG ENV) to explore topics directly affecting the community. Discussions covered updates in the Invasive Alien Species Regulation with Daniel Nuijten, current situation of the zoo legislation with Ute Goerres, and the opportunities provided to our community by the EU Commission’s Large Carnivore Platform presented by Nicole Wanders-Wengler and Deplhine Dupeux (the latter Director of European Affair at ELO, the European Landowners' Organization). These conversations allowed participants to share hands-on experience and better understand how policy priorities are evolving, especially at this pivotal moment when environmental legislation and conservation funding are facing difficult times.

On the second day, conversations with partner organisations broadened the perspective to the wider animal health landscape, showing how veterinary, welfare public health and conservation priorities intersect. The session with the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), represented by Executive Director Nancy de Briyne, presented the role of veterinarians within One Health and the organisation’s new 2026-2030 Strategy “Veterinarians know, care and contribute”, highlighting how over 330,000 veterinarians across 38 European countries contribute to animal health, public health, food safety, disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness.

The European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV), represented by Executive Director Allan Muir, provided insights into their advocacy priorities, including zoo veterinary standards, implementation of the Animal Health Law, wildlife disease surveillance, access to veterinary medicines and the One Health relevance of zoo and wildlife veterinary work. Allan also outlined the long‑standing partnership between EAZWV, EAZA and FVE, particularly through joint working groups on infectious diseases, legislation and veterinary support for conservation programmes.