SEE ALSO:
press releases
WTO news
Mike Moore's speeches
Renato Ruggiero's speeches,
1995-99
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The exchange
formalizes cooperation that has already been taking place between the two organizations
related to the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
(SPS) which establishes rules for human, animal and plant health measures affecting
international trade. The OIE is the world
organization for animal health. It establishes recommendations and guidelines for the
regulation of trade in animals and products of animal origin. Headquartered in Paris, it
was created in 1924 and now comprises 150 members.
The WTO deals
with international trade rules. Its SPS Agreement recognizes the OIE as the leading
international standards-setting organization for animal health and animal diseases that
are transmissible to humans (zoonosis).
Today’s
letters formalize the cooperation between the two organizations in a number of areas.
These include: participation as observers in each other’s meetings; sharing
information and exchanging documents; technical advice from the OIE for the SPS Committee;
and technical advice for use in dispute settlement cases; as well as jointly-organized
seminars, conferences and training activities in particular for developing countries.
For more
information on the two organizations, see their websites: the OIE at
http://www.oie.int, and the WTO at www.wto.org. |
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