Ensure transparency in the global animal disease situation.

Collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary scientific information.

Encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases.

Safeguard world trade by publishing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products.

Improve the legal framework and resources of national Veterinary Services.

To provide a better guarantee of food of animal origin and to promote animal welfare through a science-based approach.

The need to fight animal diseases at global level led to the creation of the Office International des Epizooties through the international Agreement signed on January 25th 1924. In May 2003 the Office became the World Organisation for Animal Health but kept its historical acronym OIE.

The OIE is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.

It is recognised as a reference organisation by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in 2016 has a total of 180 Member Countries. The OIE maintains permanent relations with 71 other international and regional organisations and has Regional and sub-regional Offices on every continent.