The role of veterinary epidemiology and veterinary services in complying with the World Trade Organization SPS agreement

摘要: The agreement on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS agreement) was one major products GATT's Uruguay round multilateral trade negotiations, signed in Marrakesh 15 April 1994. This others are part treaty that established World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO superseded GATT as umbrella organization for international (WTO, 1998a). SPS agreement's main intent is to provide guidelines provisions member countries facilitate while taking protect human, animal or plant life health. dictates all must be scientifically based not more restrictive than required avoid risk identified. recommends use standards from Animal Health (OIE), Codex Alimentarius (CAC) International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) basis import requirements. If a country chooses apply those standards, it has justify its position through analysis, thus avoiding unjustified barriers trade. More ever, veterinary services worldwide faced with having fulfill crucial role protecting their country's health status, sound surveillance information occurrence diseases within territories, conduct valid analyses establish justified During past two decades, most have experienced resource reduction services. effect these policies been severe, many cases leading an inability disease prevention control duties. There clear inconsistency between demands placed current level funding support they receiving, particularly developing world. paper analyzes implications complying explores epidemiology viable alternatives can enhance services' ability perform under economic reality. key regionalization, harmonization, equivalence transparency. focuses contribution each areas effective implementation agreement.