International trade is of course a key factor, but trade restrictions resulting from an animal disease outbreak can have devastating economic effects. With this in mind, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service signed three international agreements on this topic during a recent meeting of the World Organization for Animal Health in Paris, France.
These agreements will make it easier to maintain safe and fair trade of animals and animal products if an animal disease outbreak occurs. They emphasize the cooperation and understanding of the countries involved to promote shared knowledge, data and resources, which can be crucial during an animal health event.
The three arrangements, signed by the U.S., relate to the International Animal Health Emergency Reserve (also signed by Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom), the Sharing of Vaccines for Foot and Mouth Disease (also signed by Australia, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand), and Supporting the Recognition of Zoning for Foreign Animal Disease Outbreaks (also signed by Australia, Canada, and New Zealand).
USDA officials continue efforts to support international trade while at the same time, work to prevent the introduction of dangerous and costly diseases in our country. To learn more about this, click here.