Difference between revisions of "International organisations and animal health"
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===Trade in animals and food=== | ===Trade in animals and food=== | ||
| − | A number of international intergovernmental organisations rely on epidemiologic principles in the investigation of health and disease in animal and human populations. These are predominantly associated with the control of animal and human health, in the context of international trade. The ''Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures'' (the '''[ | + | A number of international intergovernmental organisations rely on epidemiologic principles in the investigation of health and disease in animal and human populations. These are predominantly associated with the control of animal and human health, in the context of international trade. The ''Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures'' (the '''[http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm SPS agreement]'''), was developed by the ''World Trade Organisation'' ('''[http://www.wto.org/ WTO]''') in 1995 in order to encourage global trade and to protect against the instigation of unreasonable trade barriers, whilst still protecting against the spread of human, animal and plant disease. Three groups are associated with this agreement: the ''World Organisation for Animal Health'' ('''[http://www.oie.int OIE]'''), the ''Codex Alimentarius Commission'' ('''[www.codexalimentarius.net/ CAC]''') of the ''Food and Agricultural Organisation'' of the United Nations ('''[http://www.fao.org/ FAO]'''), and the International Plant Protection Convention ('''[https://www.ippc.int/ IPPC]'''), also of the FAO.<br> |
* The OIE are responsible for the monitoring of animal disease worldwide. As well as developing sanitary rules for international trade, they are responsible for the development of standards and guidelines for diagnostic tests, vaccines and for the collection and dissemination of animal disease data. They also offer technical assistance to countries in need of help<br> | * The OIE are responsible for the monitoring of animal disease worldwide. As well as developing sanitary rules for international trade, they are responsible for the development of standards and guidelines for diagnostic tests, vaccines and for the collection and dissemination of animal disease data. They also offer technical assistance to countries in need of help<br> | ||
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===Zoonoses=== | ===Zoonoses=== | ||
| − | The WHO is responsible for the coordination of public health issues - which, in the case of animal diseases, will relate to zoonotic disease (pathogens which can transmit from animals to humans). In a similar role to the OIE in the case of animal disease, they are responsible for the collection and dissemination of data, in the provision of support and technical assistance, and are also involved in the coordination of disease control strategies at both the international and national level. They are also involved in food safety, having an input into the CAC. | + | The ''World Health Organisation' ('''[www.who.int/ WHO]''') is responsible for the coordination of public health issues - which, in the case of animal diseases, will relate to zoonotic disease (pathogens which can transmit from animals to humans). In a similar role to the OIE in the case of animal disease, they are responsible for the collection and dissemination of data, in the provision of support and technical assistance, and are also involved in the coordination of disease control strategies at both the international and national level. They are also involved in food safety, having an input into the CAC. |
Revision as of 13:24, 12 July 2010
Trade in animals and food
A number of international intergovernmental organisations rely on epidemiologic principles in the investigation of health and disease in animal and human populations. These are predominantly associated with the control of animal and human health, in the context of international trade. The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS agreement), was developed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995 in order to encourage global trade and to protect against the instigation of unreasonable trade barriers, whilst still protecting against the spread of human, animal and plant disease. Three groups are associated with this agreement: the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Codex Alimentarius Commission ([www.codexalimentarius.net/ CAC]) of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), also of the FAO.
- The OIE are responsible for the monitoring of animal disease worldwide. As well as developing sanitary rules for international trade, they are responsible for the development of standards and guidelines for diagnostic tests, vaccines and for the collection and dissemination of animal disease data. They also offer technical assistance to countries in need of help
- The CAC are responsible for producing the Codex Alimentarius, which covers standards, guidelines and recommendations for food safety.
- The IPPC develops standards aimed at protecting against the spread of plant pathogens through the movement of plants and plant products.
Following the production of the standards and guidelines, the FAO then has the power to enforce these
Animal welfare issues
The OIE are associated with the development of animal welfare standards on an international level, but the enforced implementation of these are usually on an individual country basis.
Food security issues
The FAO provides information on agriculture, food and consumption worldwide. As well as raising issues regarding food security, regional and country offices are found throughout the world - which allows them to work directly with farmers in developing countries in order to provide assistance.
Zoonoses
The World Health Organisation' ([www.who.int/ WHO]) is responsible for the coordination of public health issues - which, in the case of animal diseases, will relate to zoonotic disease (pathogens which can transmit from animals to humans). In a similar role to the OIE in the case of animal disease, they are responsible for the collection and dissemination of data, in the provision of support and technical assistance, and are also involved in the coordination of disease control strategies at both the international and national level. They are also involved in food safety, having an input into the CAC.