Resources: Publications
Press releases
IFAH Statement on the eradication of rinderpest
Declaration of Global Freedom from rinderpest, 37th FAO Conference Brussels, 28 June 2011 – The International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) welcomes the Declaration of Global Freedom from rinderpest, made today by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) at the 37th FAO Conference. The disease, also known as ‘cattle plague’, has been a severe threat to animal health for millennia devastating herds and leading to poverty and starvation in humans. Through an extensive programme of vaccination which required...
Read moreAnimal Health Experts Call for Balanced Regulation to Ensure Availability of Veterinary Medicines
Animal Health Experts Call for Balanced Regulation to Ensure Availability of Veterinary MedicinesLondon, 24 March 2011 – At the 2nd Global Animal Health Conference, which concluded yesterday, international experts highlighted the urgent need for a balanced regulatory environment which allows for innovation in the development of veterinary medicines. Over 100 animal health experts from around the world participated in the two day conference organised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH)...
Read moreIFAH statement on the launch of Vet2011
The International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) is participating in Vet2011 to launch World Veterinary Year, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the world’s first veterinary school which was founded in Lyon, France, in 1761. Under the slogan “Vet for Health, Vet for food, Vet for the planet”, Vet 2011 will host a series of special events throughout the year to raise awareness about the vital role of veterinarians and veterinary medicines. “IFAH is very pleased to join the OIE, WVA, FAO, WHO, UNESCO, the European...
Read moreVICH4 conference
Regulatory authorities, animal health industry experts, and other interested delegates from around the world gathered in Paris this week to learn more about the activities and progress of the VICH project since its inception 14 years ago, and how it plans to reach out to other regions of the world not actively involved in VICH1. The fourth public conference on the International Harmonisation of Technical Standards for Veterinary Medicinal Products - “VICH impact and future expectations”(VICH 4) - is taking place on 24-25 June 2010 at the...
Read moreCodex Alimentarius
The debate surrounding the adoption of proposed standards for the feed ingredient ractopamine at the 33rd session of the Commission of the Joint FAO1 /WHO2 food standards programme Codex Alimentarius highlights the need to demonstrate the strength of the Codex process through sound, science-based decision-making, says the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH). Codex Alimentarius’ foremost aim is to safeguard consumers’ right to food that is safe, of good quality and suitable for consumption, to protect the health of consumers...
Read moreIFAH calls for responsible use of antimicrobials ‘As little as possible, as much as necessary’
16 November 2011 – Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands– At the International Conference on Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Animals in the Netherlands today, the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) called for collaboration and coordination to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials. Keynote speaker Olivier Espeisse, French veterinarian and Chairman of the IFAH Antibiotic Working Group, said: “The need to fight bacterial diseases is and will continue to be a pressing concern, and the need for scientific understanding of...
Read moreIFAH acknowledges OIE’s announcement on the successful eradication of rinderpest
The International Federation for Animal Health, IFAH, applauds the announcement made yesterday at the 79th General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) that rinderpest, one of the deadliest diseases of cattle and of several other animal species, is eradicated. The remaining countries were certified as rinderpest-free. IFAH’s Executive Director Barbara Freischem explains: “It is a historical moment, brought about by the concerted efforts of the FAO and the OIE, with the use of appropriate tools, involving vaccines,...
Read moreIFAH Statement in response to the WHO’s World Health Day
The International Federation for Animal Health, IFAH, welcomes the initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to highlight the need to combat the build-up of resistance to medicines and in particular resistance to antimicrobials, however warns against a blanket call for reduction of antimicrobial use in food-producing animals. IFAH’s Executive Director Barbara Freischem explains: “In spite of disease prevention and bio-security measures, there are still many bacterial diseases and infections circulating amongst animals just as...
Read moreIFAH Statement in response to article on FMD outbreak in South Korea
Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) in South Korea In response to the FMD outbreaks in South Korea, Barbara Freischem, Executive Director of the International Federation for Animal Health, has said: “When outbreaks such as Foot-and-Mouth disease occur, governments and vaccine companies need to act together, and act fast. We support the FAO’s (Food and Agricultural organization) call to action approach towards vaccination. Control strategies, which make use of proactive vaccination campaigns, are likely to disrupt spreading of the disease and...
Read moreJuan Ramón Alaix Elected President of International Federation for Animal Health
Juan Ramón Alaix, President of Pfizer Animal Health, was elected for a two-year term as President of the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH), the worldwide organisation representing the manufacturers of veterinary medicines. Mr. Alaix, a longstanding member of IFAH’s Board of Directors with a wealth of experience in the animal health industry, was elected by unanimous vote by the Board of Directors of IFAH today in Brussels. Upon accepting the position, Mr. Alaix said: “I’m honoured to accept this role and grateful for...
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