March 7, 2008

China works with OIE on animal disease prevention

China announced that it would strengthen efforts to prevent and control animal diseases through collaborative efforts with the world organization for animal health or OIE.

OIE director general, Bernard Vallat, said that China now has the opportunity to play an ever-increasing role in the fight against animal diseases worldwide.

China reaffirmed its commitment to promote livestock health during a seminar on international animal health standards in Beijing.

The seminar gathered some 150 participants, including the OIE delegate, the Chinese vice-minister for agriculture, representatives of the veterinary services of each of China's provinces and representatives of key national veterinary institutions for research and diagnostics.

It was reiterated in the seminar that strengthening of the veterinary services in terms of surveillance, early detection and rapid response is a key factor in effective disease control.