Bio-terrorism has emerged in recent years as one of the key challenges for European security. The possibility that terrorists may resort to non-conventional weapons such as the usage of biological agents is particularly worrying for the disruptive capacity that such means may have on public health and the environment. To respond to such a threat, the European Union has stepped up its efforts to reduce risks and enhance preparedness in Member States through a comprehensive approach taking into consideration all possible sources of threat deriving from naturally occurring incidents as well as deliberate terrorist attacks. Beyond a series of communications on the topic, the European Commission launched in 2007 a consultation process releasing a Green Paper on Bio-preparedness aimed at stimulating the debate with all stakeholders involved.