OIE - First Global Conference on Veterinary Legislation addressed several challenges posed by the improvement of national animal health and welfare systems worldwide

The first Global conference on Veterinary Legislation, organised by the OIE in Djerba, Tunisia from 7 to 9 of December was successful in highlighting the significance of veterinary legislation as a cornerstone of national veterinary good governance and infrastructures. Too many countries in the world - especially developing countries - lack updated veterinary legislation to address today's animal health and welfare challenges and those of the future.

The Conference was successful in reaching its objectives:
• raise awareness of the requirements for good governance of animal health and welfare systems and effective veterinary legislation, which covers all matters under the OIE mandate, including animal health, veterinary public health and animal welfare;
• provide practical guidance on how OIE Members (particularly developing countries) can mobilize governments for:
• modernizing national veterinary legislation in line with OIE standards and guidelines,
• educating veterinarians in the public and private sector on their role and responsibilities according to the national legal framework and,
• promoting the key role of veterinary statutory bodies in implementing critical components of veterinary legislation.