ABSTRACT
The Office International des Épizooties (OIÉ) is a Paris-based, inter-governmental organization, with 167 member countries, established in 1924. In drawing up its strategic plan for the period 2001–2005, animal welfare and food safety were identified as two areas for future OIÉ involvement and these were formally accepted as strategic initiatives at the 2001 OIÉ General Assembly meeting. An international expert group was established to provide specific recommendations on the nature and scope of the OIÉ animal welfare role. The expert group's recommendations were reviewed and adopted as Resolution No. X1V at the May 2002 OIÉ General Assembly meeting. A permanent international working group was established and met for the first time in October 2002.
