Aquatic Animal Health Programme

The conference will help to raise awareness of the need for good governance of Aquatic Animal Health Services (both governmental and private sector), and the involvement of veterinarians and other partners in assuring the production of aquaculture products that are safe for human consumption and appropriately certified to meet international trade requirements.

Aquaculture is one of the world's fastest growing industries and already provides nearly 50 per cent of the seafood and high quality animal protein for the growing human population.

As aquaculture develops and expands in all regions of the world, there is an increasing need for improved aquatic animal health to increase production, and to facilitate safe trade in aquatic animals and their products. The goal is to help feed the global population while avoiding risks to human health, aquatic animal health, and the aquatic environment.

The conference will highlight the contribution of aquatic animal health programmes to improving productivity and sustainability, and consequently the availability of high quality protein and other food, particularly to people in developing countries. Issues relevant to the relationship between aquatic animal health, food safety, public health and related implications for environmental sustainability, will also be discussed.

In addition to the presentation of up to date research findings, the conference will address the role and responsibilities of key players in the production chain, including producers, food processors, private veterinarians and aquatic animal health professionals, and their interactions with Aquatic Animal Health Services and, as appropriate, Veterinary Services.

The recommendations arising from this Conference will notably help the OIE to prepare new international standards on the prevention, detection and control of aquatic animal diseases, safeguarding food safety, and related contributions to sustainable management of the aquatic environment.

The Conference will be open to all scientists concerned with the animal world and public health, the representatives of veterinary and medical services, and public sector animal and human health managers from all over the world. Simultaneous interpretation of presentation in English, French and Spanish will be provided throughout the conference.

The draft programme, registration, and accommodation information is available at http://www.oie.int/eng/A_aquatic/home.htm.