Summary
For trade purposes, ever increasing quantities of food animals and
animal products that are transported more rapidly than ever before
are contributing to the spread of zoonoses and are creating threats
on a permanent basis. Most countries in south-eastern Europe, the
Mediterranean and the Middle East are increasing imports of food
animals and meat and products of animal origin. They can become
potential sources of zoonotic and other infectious diseases if controls
are not performed under the most effective conditions. Developing
countries with their organisational weakness are particularly vulnerable
to fraudulent international trade practices of animals and animal
products. To prevent such risks, the World Trade Organization, the
World Organisation for Animal Health and their member countries
support the measures stipulated in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary
Agreement which targets the liberalisation of trade in animals and
animal products under specific conditions while protecting public
health and national economies. Vigilance must be exercised and appropriate
inspection made at points of entry by veterinary and other authorities
to ensure the strict implementation of international and national
regulations. National legislation, appropriate infra-structures
and the respect of international regulations can become barriers
to avoid animal trade, contributing to the spread of zoonotic and
other infectious diseases.
Keywords
Animal,
Disease, Health, Infection, Legislation, Public health, Trade, Zoonoses.
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