The Regional Information Seminar for Newly Appointed OIE Delegates is held in Beijing during April 28-30, 2014. The Seminar was jointly hosted by the Bureau of Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE RRAP).
Mr.Zhang Zhongqiu,Director-General of MOA Bureau of Veterinary Service, Dr. Hirofumi Kugita, Regional Representative of OIE Asia and the Pacific and Dr Mara Elma González Ortiz, Deputy Head of OIE Regional Activity Department attended and addressed the Opening Ceremony.
In his speech, Zhang stated that, in recent years, China has actively managed risks of trans-boundary animal diseases(TADs) and responded to food safety crises,and thus, made substantial progress in its veterinary service.
Since the official resumption of China's legal rights and obligations as a member of OIE in 2007, China and OIE have witnessed deepened cooperation and fruitful achievements. So far, one Chinese veterinary research institute has been designated as OIE's collaborating center, and eleven Chinese veterinary labs as OIE reference laboratories Meanwhile, China has been officially recognized as rinderpest-free and contagious bovine pleuro-pneumonia free (CBPP-free)by the OIE.
China, as the largest developing country, is willing to deepen exchange and cooperation with OIE and OIE members in Asia-Pacific Region through various forms. The Seminar will not only help newly appointed OIE Delegates in Asia and the Pacific get a comprehensive understanding of OIE's workingsystem and codes, but also improve China's capacity to apply OIE standards and codes.
As the sole international organization designated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) for standard-setting in animal health and veterinary public health, OIE has conducted a series of activities in animal health and welfare, and safety of animal products in recent years, including developing concepts, expanding working scope and deepening cooperation with other international organizations.
During his speech at the Seminar, Dr. Hirofumi Kugita pledged to boost in-depth cooperation in animal health and veterinary public health between OIE and China.
Participants to the Seminar included representatives from Bureau of Veterinary Service,China Animal Disease Control Center,China Institute of Veterinary Drugs Control and China Animal Health & Epidemiology Center under MOA, delegates from OIE headquarters, OIE RRAP, OIE Sub-Regional Representation for South-East Asia (SRR-SEA), and 10 OIE members including Philippines, Mongolia and India.