The Importance of Livestock Identification and Movement Control to the Promotion of Animal Disease Control

Livestock identification and the management of livestock movements are critical to the control of animal diseases and access to trade in animals and animal products. International standards for the control of animal diseases and for trade in livestock and livestock products are established under the WTO SPS Agreement. The OIE has the mandate from the WTO to set standards, guidelines and recommendations in relation to trade of livestock and livestock products. Many of the standards are incorporated in the OIE International Animal Health Code. These standards pose significant challenges for many developing countries where OIE List A and List B diseases are endemic and the animal health services have limited resources and capacity to deliver effective animal health programmes.