EN
The 78th General Session of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) was held in Paris from May 23 to 28, 2010 under the chairmanship of Dr. Carlos A. Correa Messuti (Uruguay), president of the OIE and Dr. Bernard Vallat, Director General of the OIE, who participated in sessions in a consultative capacity. Delegations from 157 member countries and representatives from 50 international or regional organizations, institutions and federations participated in this meeting. Dr. Michael C. Robach and Dr. Frank Alleweldt took part in the General Session as reporters of plenary lectures. Among the present were presidents of international organizations (among others: World Trade Organization, World Bank, FAO, WHO, Codex Alimentarius, World Veterinary Association) and the presidents of OIE specialist commissions as well as chairmen of working groups and ad hoc groups. Other participants included honorary former presidents of the OIE and ministers or deputies of governments of 14 member countries. Dr. Emerio Serrano Ramirez (Cuba) received the Gold Medal of the OIE, and three other experts were awarded Silver Medals. Dr. Bernard Vallat was reelected Director General for the third term, starting from January 1, 2011. The annual report of the Director General on the activities of the OIE in 2009 and partly 2010 referred to the work on a new Strategic Plan for 2011-2015, the up-dating of the documents related to the management of the OIE, and the extension of the OIE Head-Quarters. Dr. Vallat mentioned intensive activities concerning the effectiveness of veterinary services in the member countries in the areas of prophylaxis and control of infectious diseases of animals, zoonotic diseases as well as food and feed safety. Plenary lectures were entitled: Private Sector’s Point of View on the Use of Public and Private Standards and Economic Aspects of Veterinary Services Mandate and Activities. According to the presented world status of animal diseases in 2009 and at the beginning of 2010, major developments affecting animals have been: the continued existence and extension of African swine fever in Russia, foot and mouth disease (serotype O) in Asia and glanders in Brazil, Ethiopia, Iran, Afghanistan, India, Myanmar and Mongolia. The next topic was the presentation of reports by international organizations which have signed cooperation agreements with the OIE. Subsequently, the activities of Specialist Commissions and Working Groups were presented. Finally, it was underlined that the OIE is extending its activities focused to a larger extent on chemical poisoning in animals and animal products. This is related to food and feed safety issues, which are becoming increasingly important.