1. 29 th WORLD VETERINARY CONGRESS
Veterinary activities:
Global public good and need for international coordination
29 th WORLD VETERINARY CONGRESS
VANCOUVER, 28 JULY 2008
Bernard Vallat
Director General

2. OUTLINE The Global Public Good concept
The One World One Health (OWOH) concept
The Good governance concept
How to improve Veterinary International coordination
The way forward

3. The Global Public Good Concept
Global public goods are goods whose benefits extend to all countries, people and generations.

4. The Global Public Good Concept
Animal health systems are a Global Public Good

5. The Global Public Good Concept
In the case of control and eradication of infectious diseases, the benefits are international and inter­generational in scope.
Countries depend on each other
Inadequate action by a single country can jeopardize others
Failure of one country may endanger the planet.

6. The concept of One World-One Health (OWOH)
A global strategy for managing risks at the human-animal interface

7. OIE’s international engagement on the concept of OWOH
Our global partners:
FAO
WHO
UNICEF
World Bank: if they accept to recognize the key role of Veterinary Services

8. Zoonotic potential of animal pathogens
60% of human pathogens are zoonotic
75% of emerging diseases are zoonotic
80% of agents having a potential bioterrorist use are zoonotic pathogens

9. The Veterinary profession must play a key role in protecting the society

10. Food security is a key public health concern
Projections toward 2020 indicate that the demand for animal protein will increase by 50%, especially in developing countries
Food security is a key public health concern
Need for supply of safe food

11. Healthy animals ensure food security and food safety
HOW?
Healthy animals ensure food security and food safety

12. The Good Governance concept of Veterinary Services
Requirements for all countries
Need for appropriate legislation and implementation through national animal health systems providing for:
Appropriate surveillance, early detection, Transparency, Notification
Rapid response to animal disease outbreaks
Biosecurity
Compensation
Vaccination when appropriate

13. Good Governance of Veterinary Services
Key elements:
Building and maintaining efficient epidemiosurveillance networks and territorial meshing in the entire national territory, potentially for all terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases...
a responsibility of Governments
Alliances between public and private sectors
Concept of ‘Quality of Services’ adopted by all OIE Members
Use of the global OIE evaluation tool (PVS)

14. Veterinary International Coordination The OIE : a few key facts
Established in 1924
Intergovernmental organisation
Five permanent Regional Representations: Bamako, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Sofia and Beirut
Four Sub-regional Offices: Bangkok, Gaborone, Panama, Brussels
Five Regional Commissions: Africa, America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Middle East
172 Members in 2008

15. ‘The improvement of animal health all around the world’
OIE mandate
Historical: ‘To prevent animal diseases
from spreading around the world’
The 4th Strategic Plan 2006/2010 extends the OIE’s global mandate to:
‘The improvement of animal health all around the world’

16. OIE OBJECTIVES 1 ANIMAL HEALTH INFORMATION
to ensure transparency in the global animal disease and zoonosis situation
to collect, analyse and disseminate scientific veterinary information
[source :
Objective 1 :
Ensure transparency in the global animal disease situation
“Each Member undertakes to report the listed animal diseases in its territory. The OIE disseminates the information to other countries, which can take the necessary preventive action. This information includes diseases transmissible to humans (zoonoses) and the results of intentional introduction of pathogens. Information is sent out immediately or periodically as defined by the OIE. Dissemination is via the OIE Web site, (on a permanent basis) and the following periodicals: Disease Information, published weekly and the annual “World Animal Health”.
Collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary scientific information
The OIE collects and analyses the latest scientific information on animal disease control. This information is then made available to the Members to help them to improve the methods used to control and eradicate these diseases. Guidelines are prepared by the network of about 200 OIE Collaborating Centres and Reference Laboratories across the world.
Scientific information is also disseminated through various works and periodicals published by the OIE, notably the Scientific and Technical Review (3 issues a year).

17. OIE OBJECTIVES 2 INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
to promulgate health standards for the safety of international trade in animals and animal products
and animal disease surveillance methods (within its WTO mandate)
to contribute to food safety and food security
and to promote animal welfare, through a science-based approach
[source :
Objective 2 :
Sanitary safety
Safeguard world trade by publishing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products
The OIE develops normative documents relating to rules that Members can use to protect themselves from the introduction of diseases and pathogens, without setting up unjustified sanitary barriers. The main normative works produced by the OIE are: the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, the Aquatic Animal Health Code and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals.
OIE standards are recognised by the World Trade Organization as referenced in the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS agreement). They are prepared by internationally renowned scientists, most of whom are experts within the network of about 200 Collaborating Centres and Reference Laboratories. These standards are presented by elected specialist commissions and adopted by the International Committee.

18. OIE OBJECTIVES 3 ACTIVITIES OF VETERINARY SERVICES
to provide expertise and encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases
to improve the legal framework and resources of national Veterinary Services
[source :
Objective 3 : To provide expertise and encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases
“The OIE provides technical support to Members requesting assistance with animal disease control and eradication operations, including diseases transmissible to humans. The OIE notably offers expertise to the poorest countries to help them control animal diseases that cause livestock losses, present a risk to public health and threaten other Members.
The OIE has a permanent contact to international regional and national financial organizations in order to encourage them to invest in the improvement of control of animal diseases and zoonosis.”
If appropriate, mention;
Veterinary Services are a Global Public Good
with beneficial effects for:
Poverty Alleviation
Securing assets (capital, animal)
Increasing productivity
Market Access: local, regional and international
Public Health: food safety and food security
The PVS concept

19. The OIE and animal welfare: a strategic engagement
Animal welfare has been identified as a strategic priority for the OIE since 2001, under the mandate granted by all Members
Through its strategic engagement, the OIE is recognised globally as the leader in setting international animal welfare standards

20. OIE Guiding Principles in animal welfare
Animal health is a key component of animal welfare
Scientific basis for any standards
Democratic adoption of standards
Key role of Veterinary Services for OIE standard implementation

21. Veterinary International Coordination
World Veterinary Day
World Veterinary Association (WVA) and OIE Award for:
rewarding the most successful celebration of the veterinary day by national veterinary associations, alone, or in cooperation with other veterinary bodies

22. Veterinary International Coordination
Veterinary education
Respect for Veterinary diploma
OIE global Deans Conference

23. Veterinary International Coordination
Support to WVA
Communication policies based on:
Public good concept
OWOH concept
Economic and social benefit of veterinary activities for the society

24. Main benefits linked with veterinary activities
Control of animal diseases contributes to:
Public Health: zoonoses, food safety and food security, OWOH concept
Market Access: local, regional and international
Poverty Alleviation
Securing assets (capital, animal)
Increasing productivity
Animal welfare

25. The veterinary profession must be involved
In urban and rural practices
In agri-food industries
In wildlife surveillance and protection
In slaughterhouses
In research and drug/vaccines companies
In Government Services
In international organisations

26. The alliance WVA/OIE is important for the promotion of veterinary benefits for the society. We must do more together.

27. Thank you for your attention
Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Animale
World Organisation for Animal Health
Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal
12 rue de Prony, Paris, France - –