Ebola Fight - EU expertise is vital catalyst

Phil Knowles has called on the EU to increase yet again its efforts both to mobilise medical expertise from across the world and encourage financial contributions to the fighting fund. Financial input from both within and outside of the EU.

'The world is a much 'smaller place' now. It can be argued that Air travel has seen to that. With the greater accessibility to travel comes the potential for illness such as Ebola to quickly cross boarders and continents. In the EU we have some of the world's leading experts in medical matters. They must be focused quickly and in a well organised way on to the prevention of the spreading of the disease and seeking ways of caring for the victims. They are then well placed to assist in coordinating world resources.

Equally the EU has the opportunity to act as the catalyst to see the fund raising effort stepped up. Ministers should pick up the phone to those in power across the wider world and urge them to put their hands into their pockets without delay. This is a worldwide problem. Not something that can be left with a shrug of the shoulders to others. ''

Phil Knowles also took the opportunity to congratulate Catherine Bearder MEP on the positive approaches she is taking. '' Catherine has identified so much that needs to be done, including the need to update blood screening rules. Catherine is speaking out loud and clear from her position as an MEP. Let's hope others follow her example''