June 8, 2007

OIE to recognize both China and Taiwan as active members

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has voted to allow both Taiwan and the People's Republic of China to gain full membership status.

China, a member since 1992, had not been fully participating due to the presence of Taiwan, which joined OIE in 1954.

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and does not participate in international groups where Taiwan is recognized as an international entity.

THE 169 member countries of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that gathered in Paris, France, for its 75th General Assembly voted recently to restore the rights and obligations of the People's Republic of China to OIE.

However, Taiwan would still maintain its participation to the organization but will be referred to under the new name of "Chinese Taipei."

Calling it a historical vote in the OIE, Dr. Bernard Vallat, director general, said that an effective control of animal diseases now requires more and more transparent information and cooperation from member countries.

He further added that the international community cannot afford to have gaps in the management of sanitary information, and counting both Taiwan and China among active members would further improve the animal disease situation in the world.

With the vote, OIE becomes one of a handful of international organizations to have both China and Taiwan as active members.