The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is an inter-governmental organization that was established in 1924 in order to promote world animal health. OIE missions that have become increasingly important and its mandate that has been expanded to meet requirements from the world are strongly supported by the Member Countries now reaching 167. OIE Regional Offices have been established in Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Beirut, Sofia and Bamako covering Asia and the Pacific, the Americas, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa. The main objectives of the OIE are: 1) To ensure transparency in the global animal disease situation; 2) To collect, analysis and disseminate scientific veterinary information; 3) To contribute expertise and encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases; 4) Within its mandate under the WTO SPS Agreement, to safeguard world trade by publishing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products; 5) To improve the legal framework and resources of Veterinary Services; and 6) To provide a better guarantee of the safety of food of animal origin and to promote animal welfare through a science-based approach.