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“The opening of a liaison office is a first for the organisation”, explains Dr Dop, OIE Deputy Director General, who attended the official opening. “This new US-based office will open additional lines of communication between the OIE and US veterinary and public health parties – allowing for better collaboration when it comes to disaster preparedness, emergency planning and animal disease surveillance.”
While the OIE Liaison office does not change any traditional communication channels, the office will provide new avenues for high-level engagement with U.S. government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector constituents. This strengthened relationship with US animal production stakeholders is expected to reinforce the understanding of the OIE international Standards at the national level, as well as an increased appreciation of the importance and challenges of global animal health transparency.
The OIE Liaison Office will further solidify the extensive relationship the United States has developed since it joined the organisation in 1976”, said Dr. John Clifford, official USA delegate to the OIE. “Providing broader access to our institutions and expertise will increase the breadth and depth of the OIE’s scientific tool box.”
The OIE US liaison office will be co-located with and hosted by the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases (IIAD) – a member of the Texas A&M University System and an OIE Collaborating Centre specialising in biological threat reduction.
Designated as an OIE Collaborating Centre in 2014, IIAD provides its expertise internationally to support and implement animal health initiatives, provide scientific and technical training, and conduct scientific research focused on global animal health.
Monday November 6, 2017/ OIE.
http://www.oie.int
