The role and significance of veterinary service in international trade of animals and animals products

Abstract

International trade of animals and animals products occasionally leads to spread of infectious diseases and causes high economic losses in economies of endangered countries. That is the reason why correlation between international trade, animal health and epidemiologic situation got significant place in conclusions of Uruguay round of GATT multilateral international trade negotiations and during establishment of World Trade Organization (WTO). One of WTO establishing documents is Agreement of use of sanitary and phitosanitary measures (SPS), which sets basic rules of food safety and of animal health and animal-related products standards. The main purpose of SPS agreement is to allow free trade of agriculture products while recognizing right of each country to protect human, animal and plant health on its territory. This paper analyzes mutual relationship between animal trade and epidemiology, influence of veterinary service on animal health risk analysis, regionalization and need for harmonization of our veterinary regulation with EC standards.