EFA

We would like to wish you all the very best for 2006. On 1 January 2006, you may be interested to know that the Austrian government took over the EU presidency for six months and you can read about the new presidency’s work plan in this ezine. Some ‘home news’, we are delighted to let you know that Erna Botjes, President of the Dutch Food Allergy Organization, member of EFA, has kindly agreed to be the EFA Project Member and representative for the EuroPrevall project (Prevalence, Cost and Basis of Food Allergy in Europe). She takes the place of Erkka Valovirta who unfortunately had to step down because of too many commitments. Erna is very motivated, knowledgeable in food allergy issues, and has in addition to her own organisation been very active in EFA in food allergy issues. We wish her all the very best and you can find some information and a brief summary of what the EuroPrevall project stands for below. Last month I asked for your news, so that we can include it in the ezine – and also perhaps on the EFA website. We will be emailing you a ’Call for News’ at the beginning of every month for a few lines, no more, on any news that you may have on asthma, allergy, COPD or health legislation in general, in your country, that may be of interest to members. We look forward to hearing from you! Additionally, please note in your diaries that the Annual Conference of Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN) is due to take place on 29 March – 1 April 2006, in Berlin. EFA members are invited to the GA²LEN in Action session 30 March and public event and EFA-GA²LEN workshop 31 March. Special invitation and reply slip follow shortly. Best wishes, Svein-Erik Myrseth - EFA President