2. The Session was opened by Dr. Wachsmuth who welcomed the participants on behalf of the Government of United States. Dr Robert V. Tauxe, Chief Foodborne and Diarrheal Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Centers for Infectious Diseases, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, made a presentation entitled Public health surveillance of foodborne infections: New challenge and new solutions. He presented the concept, methodology and critical issues of surveillance of foodborne diseases. Also he introduced newly developed surveillance strategies of the United States. Considering the rapid expansion of international food trade, he stressed the need for the development of an international foodborne disease surveillance system.