The perspective of the World Organisation for Animal Health

Abstract Since its founding in 1924, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has been responsible and internationally recognized as an organization for setting intergovernmental animal health standards. In 2002, at the request of its Member Countries, the OIE broadened its mandate to include animal welfare standards, noting that animal health is a key component of animal welfare. Through various tools and strategies, the OIE has supported its Member Countries in effectively implementing the adopted animal welfare standards that are included in the Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Codes . The level of success of implementation varies by region and country due the diversity of contexts, which poses an important challenge. The OIE has looked to build bridges with different stakeholders as an effective strategy to increase the level of compliance with the standards. Particularly, the reinforcement of national Veterinary Services in terms of capacity building remains the key actor in achieving eventual successful implementation of the OIE animal welfare standards.