BIOSECURITY IN THE LABORATORY

Ten OIE Member Countries in the Americas responded to a survey on the security in their veterinary laboratories. This survey shows that there are very few laboratories which have been correctly designed and equipped to handle pathogens while maintaining high levels of biosecurity. The majority of laboratories do not fulfil the biosecurity conditions necessary to properly handle the pathogens with which they currently work. As we reach the end of the century and the third millennium, human society is becoming increasingly concerned with achieving the highest possible quality of life, in the midst of populations suffering from extreme poverty, underdevelopment and marginalisation, contrasting strongly with the amazingly fast technological progress which is taking place in every field of learning. This situation is becoming more and more obvious with the unexpected increase in globalisation of the economy, with the opening up of markets and the formation of economic groups which threaten to eliminate national borders. We are gradually approaching the vision of a "worldwide village», to which we must continue to adapt, advancing at a faster, but also steadier pace. In this respect, the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) has successfully taken the lead in its own branch, guiding its Member Countries in the modernisation of their veterinary services so that they can meet the provisions of the World Trade Organization Agreement on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. Both a conceptual and structural re-organisation is necessary, and the first step in the process is the updating of legislation, standards and procedures. If countries are to be competitive on the live animal and animal products markets, they need to prevent, control and eradicate disease and strengthen and optimise the organisation of health assistance in the field of livestock raising, giving full consideration to the conservation of both human health and the quality of the environment. Careful thought must therefore be given to the situation of animal health diagnostic and investigation laboratories on the American continent. Enormous progress has been made in the field of diagnosis and, consequently, in the control and eradication of those diseases which have the greatest affect on the productivity of livestock raising. However, if a detailed examination of the structure and infrastructure of our animal health laboratories to determine the biosecurity level, were to be carried out, the results would be surprising.