The 91^st General Session of The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) was held in Paris May 26^th through 30^th.  The objective of the Organization founded 100 years ago is to promote livestock health and establish standards for international trade.  The General Session was attended by 182 member nations and by delegates from industry associations. In addition to the formal sessions, a number of side discussions were arranged to facilitate trade. 

USDA-APHIS conducted 25 bilateral meetings with representatives of trading partners in Africa and Asia.  It was anticipated that the general session would have redefined “poultry” to eliminate trade restrictions in the event of outbreaks among non-commercial flocks and species other than chickens and turkeys.

It is hoped that APHIS and USAPEEC representatives including Dr. John Clifford made progress in removing blanket restrictions on preventive vaccination against highly pathogenic avian  influenza with appropriate controls.