Engagement for the regulatory framework in the EU

On 13 and 14 January, MedPlants4Vet took part in advancing the EU dialogue on herbal veterinary medicinal products by engaging in Brussels with the consulting firm appointed by the European Commission.

MedPlants4Vet participants from left to right: Evelyn Wolfram (WG4, ESCOP), Begüm Yurdakök (MP4V Grant Coordinator), Jelena Arsenijević (WG4 leader), Filip Štrbac (WG2 leader), Michael Walkenhorst (WG 1 leader, Grant Holder Scientific Representative), Theresa Schlittenlacher (Action Chair), Álvaro Fdez-Blanco (WG3 leader), Marta Mendel (Vice-Chair); Photo: COST Action MedPlants4Vet

The legal basis that initiated the development of MedPlants4Vet is Article 157 of EU Regulation (EU) 2019/6, which states: "The Commission shall report to the European Parliament and to the Council by 29 January 2027, on traditional herbal products used to treat animals in the Union. If appropriate, the Commission shall make a legislative proposal in order to introduce a simplified system for registering traditional herbal products used to treat animals."

The pivotal phrase is "if appropriate." Assessing this condition lies at the heart of MedPlants4Vet's work. To review and consolidate the results achieved so far, the Chair Team and the Working Group Leaders (WG1–WG4) met on 13 January for a joint discussion. This was followed on 14 January by an in-depth exchange between the Chair Team and the consultants commissioned by the European Commission. During these meetings, MedPlants4Vet presented its interim findings and outlined potential approaches to defining "traditional" in the context of herbal veterinary medicinal products. The discussions aim to provide expert input to support the possible development of future legislative proposals.