BRUSSELS-DEBATE, Tuesday, 3 May 2016 from 18:30 to 21:00 hrs

“Bioterrorism – Is the EU prepared?

Introduction:

• Monika HOHLMEIER MEP, EPP/Germany, Rapporteur, Member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Speakers:

• John GATT RUTTER, Head of Counter-Terrorism Division, EEAS             

• Jorge Manuel BENTO SILVA, Acting Head of Terrorism and Crisis Management Unit, DG Home

• Levent ALTAN, Executive Director, Victim Support Europe

• Dr. Steven CHATFIELD, Senior Adviser, Emergent BioSolutions

In the wake of the Brussels bombings, the European Parliamentary Research Service concluded that: “While attacks against public transportation systems are unfortunately not a new phenomenon, coordination between Member States on the possibility of a terrorist attack using non-conventional weapons such as chemical, biological, radiological or even nuclear materials is also now urgently needed.” Should the unthinkable ever happen does Europe have the tools and medical countermeasures in place to protect citizens and save lives?