Under what conditions can international trade resume after a foreign animal disease outbreak?

Resuming international trade following a foreign animal disease outbreak is largely contingent upon compliance with the standards established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). These standards encompass specific protocols and guidelines designed to ensure that animal health is safeguarded both within the affected country and in those engaging in trade with it.

Meeting OIE standards generally involves rigorous assessments and measures that demonstrate the disease has been controlled or eradicated, proper risk management procedures have been instituted, and that the introduction of the disease into unaffected regions has been mitigated. This is crucial for maintaining overall global animal health and preventing further outbreaks.

While national laws, local authority declarations, and the choice of a country to resume trade are factors that may influence trade resumption, they must align with international guidelines to ensure a unified approach to disease prevention. Therefore, compliance with OIE standards is paramount for the safe and effective restoration of international trade in the context of animal health.