"We've all learned about this disease since it was first discovered several years ago in Europe. And so I think we've learned from the European experience"

This quote by Ann Veneman recommends that the knowledge as well as understanding of a specific condition has expanded since it was initial uncovered in Europe. This implies that the European experience with the illness has been valuable in regards to finding out more about it. Veneman is likely recommending that the understanding obtained from the European experience can be made use of to educate our very own understanding and also action to the disease. This might consist of picking up from the blunders made in Europe, in addition to the successes, in order to better plan for and also respond to the illness. Veneman's quote is a pointer that we can learn from the experiences of others, and that the European experience with the condition can be made use of to inform our own.