Norman G. Willis, President, Office International des Epizooties Paris, France Today, international trade in agricultural products is a dominant theme for agricultural industries, and thus it is also dominant for the animal health regulatory agencies of the world. Agriculture provides a strong positive influence on our economic balances, it is a major source of employment, and it is the life work of a significant proportion of our populations.
Agriculture is a cultural way of life.
The global population growth, over the last ten years, has slowed to 1.8 percent, but this still means that there will be 80 million more people on earth each year. Agricultural production and trade will increasingly be required to respond to a global demand for food. Already famines in specific areas are pointedly making this clear. And as well, in an unpredictable fashion, natural and societal disasters are creating intense demands and difficulties in response mechanisms. This continent and this hemisphere are a major source based on geography, climate, and excellent availability of highly skilled expertise in the production of animals, animal products, grains and horticultural products, and in the prevention, control and management of animal disease.