World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

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

Important Events

WOAH has recently recognized Russia as free from foot-and-mouth disease, a status that significantly bolsters Russia's ability to export dairy and other animal products internationally. This recognition is pivotal for the expansion of Russia's dairy market.

WOAH is actively involved in publishing reports on outbreaks of zoonotic diseases that could affect the dairy sector, including 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 requires a reassessment of international biosecurity and surveillance protocols to prevent 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, providing guidelines for animal welfare during transport, including 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.

Certification by the World Organisation for Animal Health would enable India to commence dairy exports to markets requiring disease-free status. This certification is crucial as it has been a significant barrier for India, the world's largest milk producer, to enter certain markets.

Modified: 2026/07/29

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