02/20/2023 2:26 pm (act. 02/20/2023 02:26 pm)
The EU has established more reserves against chemical and nuclear threats. ©Russian Ministry of Defense Press Service via AP, (icon image/file)
The EU is building stockpiles of drugs and equipment to prepare for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats in three other countries.
The EU Commission announced on Monday that existing stocks in Finland would now be supplemented by those in France, Poland and Croatia. Antibiotics, vaccines, detectors and individual protection equipment, among others, must be stored there.
EU builds more stockpiles against nuclear and chemical threats
Inventories had a total value of 545.6 million euros. They can be used, for example, in case of a nuclear accident, a leak from a chemical plant or a terrorist attack.
Nuclear and chemical threat 2022 one of the greatest dangers
Last year, the EU defined CBRN threats as one of the greatest dangers to public health. In addition, pathogens with high pandemic potential and antimicrobial resistance were mentioned. They all pose serious cross-border health risks, he said.
Countermeasures must be available in the event of a threat
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides stressed on Monday that countermeasures must be available quickly in the event of a threat. Important goods were sometimes in short supply, especially at the start of the corona pandemic. Commissioner Janez Lenarcic, in charge of EU crisis management, said Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine also shows that the EU needs to be better prepared for CBRN risks.