The role of the OIE in international trade.

The OIE (Office International des Epizooties), the world animal health organization, has been addressing the most serious animal diseases throughout the globe for the past 75 years. It has developed guidelines for safe international trade in animals and animal products as part of its original mandate. Since the establishment of the World Trade Organization and the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement, the role for the OIE has changed. At this point in the history of the OIE, new demands, expectations and challenges lie ahead as the OIE faces a new role in international trade.