This paper, written by our Board Member Mike Robach in 2010, addresses concerns raised by OIE Members about the increasing importance of private standards to the international trade in animal products and the potential for conflict between official standards and those established by private standard setting organizations.
The paper suggests that collective efforts are needed on the part of food system stakeholders, governments and intergovernmental organizations to ensure food safety, animal health, animal welfare and plant health as these aspects of food production are critical to consumer confidence, affordability and food security. In addition that respectful dialogue amongst the public, private and academic stakeholders is necessary for continuous improvement within the global collection of food systems that serve to nourish the public.
