Council Joint Action 2008/307/CFSP of 14 April 2008 in support of World Health Organisation activities in the area of laboratory bio-safety and bio-security in the framework of the European Union Strategy against the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

1 For the purpose of giving immediate and practical application to the relevant elements of the EU Strategy, the EU shall contribute to the implementation of decisions made by the States Parties at the Sixth Review Conference of BTWC, with the following objectives: (a) ensuring the safety and security of microbial or other biological agents or toxins in laboratories and other facilities, including during transportation as appropriate, in order to prevent unauthorised access to and removal of such agents and toxins; (b) promoting bio-risk reduction practices and awareness, including bio-safety, bio-security, bioethics and preparedness against intentional misuse of biological agents and toxins, through international cooperation in this area.

2 To achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, the EU shall introduce projects consisting of the following measures: (a) organisation of outreach workshops, consultations and training for competent authorities in the relevant sectors and for laboratory managers/staff at the national, sub-regional and regional levels, aiming at a deeper understanding of bio-risk reduction practices and their effective implementation in laboratories and other facilities, including during transportation as appropriate; (b) assistance to a selected country to review public health response capacity in the context of enhancing national biological preparedness, to develop and implement a bio-risk reduction management plan, particularly concerning laboratory practice and safety, and to harmonise it with integrated national preparedness plans, and to strengthen the performance and sustainability of national laboratories by connecting them with regional and international networks. A detailed description of these projects is set out in the Annex to this Joint Action.

1 The Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representative (hereinafter referred to as the SG/HR), shall be responsible for the implementation of this Joint Action. The Commission shall be fully associated.

2 The technical implementation of the measures referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the WHO, which includes the WHO Office in Lyon. The WHO shall perform its tasks under the control of the SG/HR assisting the Presidency. For this purpose, the SG/HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the WHO.

3 The Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR, and the Commission shall keep each other regularly informed about the implementation of this Joint Action, in conformity with their respective competences.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the measures referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 2105000, to be funded from the general budget of the European Union.

2 The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the Community procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the European Union.

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 2, which shall take the form of a grant. For this purpose, the Commission shall conclude a financing agreement with the WHO. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the WHO is to ensure that the visibility of the EU contribution is appropriate to its size, including by participation of EU experts.

4 The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after the entry into force of this Joint Action. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement.

The Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR, shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Joint Action on the basis of quarterly reports prepared by the WHO. These reports will form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Commission shall be fully associated. It shall report to the Council on the financial aspects of the implementation of this Joint Action.

This Joint Action shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall expire 24 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3), or six months after the date of its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded by then.

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.