The purpose of this publication is to assemble information from various sources to assist developing countries that, with the objectives of providing more effective animal disease control for improved food production and livestock development and protecting food safety for the consumer, are planning to upgrade their official health services in accordance with internationally accepted principles.
A large volume and variety of technical publications on the many different aspects of animal health services under various social, economic and ecological conditions with many different animal disease situations are available. Following requests from many developing countries, a compilation of major experiences of animal health services has been prepared in the form of this publication. The document is based on previous Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) publications such as Standard of Veterinary Services (1974), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Office of Epizootics (OIE) publications, literature sources and technical reports dealing with this subject. Personal experiences of FAO experts and of the participants of the FAO Expert Consultation on Animal Health Services in Developing Countries, Rome, 15-19 October 1990, represent a very important contribution to this document. The Expert Consultation was attended by selected chief veterinary officers from all regions of developing countries. The final editing of the document was carried out by Drs A.K. Chatterjee, W.H.G. Rees and J. Thomson, former chief veterinary officers of India, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe respectively.
It is hoped that it will prove useful to the official animal health services in developing countries in their important role of improving animal production and food safety, which is vital for the well-being of all humankind.
V. Kouba
Chief, Animal Health Service - Animal Production and Health Division