Brussels May 28 2002

International Federation for Animal Health and the World Organisation for Animal Health sign Agreement as basis for developing cooperation on issues affecting Animal Health 

The International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH), which represents the global animal health industry today, signed an important Agreement with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). 

The Agreement which was signed by Dr Bernard Vallat, Director General of OIE and Alan Reade, President of IFAH, provides for the two organisations to develop further cooperation through both formal and informal consultations on matters of common interest like the harmonisation of legislation on veterinary products, the research to counter animal diseases, the provision of educational materials on the usage of veterinary medicines including the containment of anti-microbial resistance and other relevant aspects of food safety and hygiene. 

IFAH President Alan Reade said, “ This Agreement represents an important step forward in the history of animal health. We are very pleased that together the OIE and the global animal health industry have recognised formally that we have many interests in common and particularly that it will become increasingly important to strengthen our mutual collaborative efforts and speak with a common voice to support disease control strategies and the welfare of animals.” 

Dr Bernard Vallat Director of the OIE commented “ A strengthening of collaboration on areas of mutual interest in animal health will be beneficial to all concerned in a global environment in which issues of animal health, food production and safety and animal welfare are becoming of ever increasing significance. We look forward to developing an effective working relationship with IFAH.”  

Ends 

Press Contacts:

IFAH:
Dr Jean-Louis Delforge, Executive Director
Rue Defacqz, 1
B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
Phone: +32 2 541 01 11
e-mail : ifah@ifahsec.org
 

OIE:
Maria Zampaglione
12, rue de Prony
F - 75017 Paris (France)
Phone: +33 1 44 15 18 88
e-mail : m.zampaglione@oie.int