In 2004, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) took on the official task of developing international animal welfare guidelines for its 175 member countries. The United States is a member of the OIE, and since 2005, the Alliance has served in a unique and important role. The Alliance is often called on by USDA to develop diverse stakeholder working groups in order to provide a consensus opinion on behalf of animal agriculture in the U.S. to the OIE. Topics addressed have included animal disease, transportation, slaughter, and other processes affecting animal welfare.

USDA Requests Comments on OIE Reports on Farm Animal Welfare
November 18, 2009 - In 2004, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) took on the official task of developing international animal welfare guidelines for its 175 member countries. The United States of America is a member of the OIE, and our representative is Dr. John Clifford, Chief Veterinary Officer for USDA. The OIE met in September 2009 to discuss various issues regarding animal diseases and welfare. Several farm animal welfare documents were issued for comment. As the USA representative to the OIE, USDA has requested comments on each of these reports be submitted by no later than December 8th. (More)

Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission Report
September 2009
Transport of Animals by Air (Article 7.4.1, PDF, 155 KB)
Animal Welfare and Beef Cattle Production Systems (Article 7.X.1, PDF, 122 KB)
Transport of Animals by Land (Article 7.3.1, PDF, 253 KB)
Slaughter of Animals (Article 7.5.1, PDF, 497 KB)
Killing of Animals for Disease Control Purposes (Article 7.6.1, PDF, 477 KB)
Animal Welfare and Broiler Chicken Production (Article X.X.1, PDF, 113 KB)

Joint AAA & AAC Letter on Animal Welfare Definition
Release - August 1, 2008
In a letter sent to Michael David, Director of the National Center for Import & Export, USDA-APHIS-VS, the Alliance's Kay Johnson and Paul Rogers from the Animal Agriculture Coalition offer their comments representing the consensus opinion of animal agriculture stakeholders in the United States in response to the definition of the term "Animal Welfare" approved by the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Commission at its meeting in May 2008. (More)

OIE Animal Welfare Guidelines: Challenges and Opportunities
AgriTalk - April 8, 2008
Phil Seng, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, explains that there are potentially negative trade ramifications that might result from the OIE developing animal welfare guidelines in this interview broadcast live from the Animal Agriculture Alliance's Seventh Annual Stakeholders Summit. However, Seng also indicates that OIE animal welfare guidelines present a great opportunity for enhancing trade in meat and meat products, in addition to ensuring that global consumers have access to affordable, safe meat. The Seventh Annual Stakeholders Summit was held April 8-9, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia. (More, WMA, 1.38 MB)

OIE Animal Welfare Guidelines and Their Significance
AgriTalk - April 8, 2008
Paul Sundberg, Vice President of Science and Technology for the National Pork Board, explains that OIE is developing animal welfare guidelines in this interview broadcast live from the Animal Agriculture Alliance's Seventh Annual Stakeholders Summit. Sundberg says that there are challenges associated with measuring animal welfare and states that potential trade impediments that could be the result if agriculture is not involved in developing the guidelines. The Seventh Annual Stakeholders Summit was held April 8-9, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia. (More, WMA, 585 KB)