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Standards
In the current trend of globalisation, animal health measures have increasing importance to facilitate safe international trade of animals and animal products while avoiding unnecessary impediments to trade.
International Standards
In light of this, the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) encourages the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to base their sanitary measures on international standards, guidelines and recommendations, where they exist. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is the WTO reference organisation for standards relating to animal health and zoonoses.
The standards are based on the most recent scientific and technical information.
The WOAH International Standards consist of:
The Terrestrial Animal Health Code
First published in 1968, provides standards for the improvement of terrestrial animal health and welfare and veterinary public health worldwide. These standards should be used by Veterinary Services to set up measures for the early detection, reporting and control of pathogenic agents, including zoonotic agents, and preventing their spread. Implementation of the recommendations in the Terrestrial Code protects animal health and welfare and ensures the safety of international trade in animals and animal products.
The Aquatic Animal Health Code
Introduced in 1995, provides standards for the improvement of aquatic animal health and welfare worldwide. These standards should be used by Aquatic Animal Health Services to set up measures for the prevention, early detection, reporting and control of pathogenic agents in aquatic animals (amphibians, crustaceans, fish and molluscs). Implementation of the recommendations in the Aquatic Code ensures the safety of international trade in aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.
The Manual of Diagnostic Tests and vaccines for Terrestrial Animals
First published in 1989, the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (Terrestrial Manual) provides a standardised approach to the diagnosis of the diseases listed in the Terrestrial Code and certain other diseases of importance to international trade. The aim is to facilitate health certification for trade in animals and animal products and to contribute to the improvement of animal health services world-wide. The principal target readership is laboratories carrying out veterinary diagnostic tests and surveillance, as well as vaccine manufacturers and regulatory authorities in WOAH Members. The objective is to provide internationally agreed diagnostic laboratory methods and requirements for the production and control of vaccines and other biological products.
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The Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals
First published in 1995, the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals (the Aquatic Manual) provides a standardised approach to the diagnosis of the diseases listed in the Aquatic Code. The aim is to contribute to the improvement of aquatic animal health worldwide and to facilitate health certification for trade in aquatic animals and aquatic animal products. The Aquatic Manual is a key reference document describing the methods relevant to the WOAH-listed diseases for use by aquatic animal health laboratories around the world. Adoption of the specified methods will help to increase efficiency of laboratories and to promote improvements in aquatic animal health worldwide.
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