EN
The 75th General Session of the International Committee of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) was held in Paris from 20 to 25 May 2007, under the chairmanship of Dr Barry O'Neil (New Zealand), president of the International Committee. In this annual meeting participated delegations from 158 member counties of the total number of 169 members of the OIE. Additionally representatives of 5 non-member countries, the presidents of specialist commissions, working groups and groups ad hoc, former presidents of the OIE and 14 ministers or deputies of governments of member countries, also took part. The annual report, presented by the director general of the OIE, Dr Bernard Vallat, on the activities of the OIE in 2006 indicated intensive development concerning influence of the OIE on the increase of effectivity of veterinary services in the world in the control of infectious diseases of animals, zoonotic diseases and food safety. Two technical items were presented: the first entitled The use of epidemiological models for the management of animal diseases and the second The role of reference laboratories and collaborating centres in providing permanent support for the objectives and mandates of the OIE. In the presentation of the animal health status in member countries the epizootic situation in 2006 and early 2007 of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), bluetonge (BT) and foot and mouth disease (FMD) was characterized. Following important points were the reports of OIE specialist commissions and working groups, contributing to improvement of the codes for terrestrial and water animals and manuals for diagnostic tests and vaccines. Representatives of many international organizations characterized their activity, underlining fruitful cooperation with the OIE. Summarising, the results of the 75th General Session one can state that OIE plays a very important and increasing global role in strengthening the veterinary services in the control of infectious diseases of animals, zoonotic diseases and in food safety, contributing essentially to the protection of human health and economy, world wide.