Animal Health and Animal Welfare: WOAH and the OECD Aim to Tackle Future Challenges Together

On September 7, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) signed a memorandum of understanding that establishes the framework for their future relations. The agreement calls for expanded communication, cooperation, and collaboration. The goal is to promote the exchange of views on topics within their respective areas of expertise and to consult more closely on common issues. For both organizations, this partnership should enable them to better coordinate their positions and actions in the future.   In practical terms, this partnership will involve, in particular, an exchange of information and enhanced technical cooperation. More specifically, it will focus on best practices, as well as economic measures and assessments related to animal health, animal welfare, veterinary medicinal products (including in terms of antimicrobial resistance), the environmental impact of livestock, and the reduction of biological threats of natural, accidental, or deliberate origin. Against a backdrop of a steadily growing global population and expanding trade, where the movement of people, animals, pathogens, data, and goods continues to intensify, governments face numerous challenges in ensuring not only economic prosperity but also the social and environmental well-being of their populations. WOAH and the OECD share the common goal of helping their member countries build tomorrow’s sustainable economic growth on better regulations and more effective governance at all levels. To this end, they provide member countries with a forum to share experiences, seek solutions to common issues, develop recommendations, and adopt standards in areas of mutual interest. Strengthening collaboration and exchanges between the two organizations should thus enable them to fulfill their respective missions with greater relevance and effectiveness. Under the slogan “Better Policies for a Better Life ,” the OECD helps the governments of its 35 member countries foster prosperity through economic growth and financial stability. It also seeks to stimulate new sources of growth through innovation, environmentally friendly “green” strategies, and the development of emerging economies. By measuring productivity and global trade and investment flows, analyzing and comparing data, and predicting short- and medium-term trends, the OECD establishes international standards in areas such as agriculture, taxation, chemical safety, and more. In addition, the organization ensures that the environmental impacts of economic and social development are taken into account. For its part, with the motto “Protect animals, preserve our future ,” the WOAH’s mission is to improve animal health, veterinary public health, and animal welfare worldwide, as well as to promote transparency regarding the global status of animal diseases. The organization develops standards in these areas and assists its 180 member countries in implementing them through numerous initiatives and programs aimed at strengthening animal health systems internationally.