World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

The World Organisation for Animal Health, commonly known as WOAH, is headquartered in Paris, France. Despite its base in Paris, WOAH operates on a global scale, collaborating with numerous countries to oversee and report on animal health conditions that have significant implications for the dairy industry.

Important Events

WOAH recently acknowledged Russia as free from foot-and-mouth disease, a recognition that greatly enhances Russia’s capability to export dairy and other animal products internationally. This development is pivotal for the country's dairy market expansion.

WOAH is also actively involved in publishing reports on outbreaks of zoonotic diseases that could impact the dairy sector, such as African horse sickness, sheep and goat pox, lumpy skin disease, Newcastle disease, and highly pathogenic avian influenza. These reports are crucial for managing international trade restrictions and ensuring the safety of dairy products across borders.

Additionally, WOAH has identified new cases of bluetongue, a viral disease affecting cattle and sheep, with recent outbreaks reported in Romania and Italy.

Furthermore, WOAH has issued a global alert regarding the persistent presence of the H5N1 avian influenza subtype in cattle, classifying it as an emerging disease. This necessitates a reassessment of international biosecurity and surveillance protocols to avoid unjustified trade restrictions and maintain market fluidity.

Company Plans

WOAH is committed to enhancing its global surveillance and reporting systems to effectively manage and mitigate risks associated with animal health. These initiatives aim to support the dairy industry in accessing and maintaining global markets by ensuring safe production and trade practices.

Moreover, WOAH sets standards, such as those by OMSA, which provide guidelines for animal welfare during transport. These guidelines include maximum travel times, load density, and transporter training. The adoption of these standards by several countries in Latin America underscores WOAH's influence on international animal welfare practices.

Modified: 2025/11/15

---