Opening of the 84th OIE General Session

Delegates from the 180 Member Countries of the OIE are meeting in Paris for six days of discussion and debate at the 84th General Session of the OIE World Assembly of National Delegates, to adopt new international standards and guidelines for animal health and welfare.

Paris, 22 May 2016 

Chaired for the first time by Dr Botlhe Michael Modisane, President of the OIE, the Opening Ceremony of the World Assembly of OIE Delegates began with an opening address at the Maison de la Chimie Conference Centre (Paris). This was followed by eight speeches from Ministers and government representatives from OIE Member Countries. The President of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), Dr Evelyn Nguleka, and the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis, also addressed the Assembly.

Video message

The work of the General Session will continue over the next five days and conclude on Friday, 27 May, with the adoption of the Resolutions voted on in plenary session by the entire Assembly of Delegates from 180 Member Countries.

This annual meeting represents the opportunity to adopt new intergovernmental standards for animal health and welfare, as well as to take stock of the current global landscape of animal diseases, including zoonoses. It will also provide a forum for debate on the most recent developments in strategies for the prevention, control and eradication of diseases such as rabies and peste des petits ruminants.

Read the full press release here.

Background to relationship between Codex, OIE and IPPC

When the World Trade Organization began operations in January 1995, the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) also took effect. This agreement addresses the proper application of food safety, animal health and plant protection rules, as they relate to international agricultural trade.

The agreement encourages governments to "harmonize" or base their national measures on the international standards, guidelines and recommendations developed by WTO member governments in other international organizations. These are Codex Alimentarius, OIE and IPPC.

Learn more.

 

23/05/2016