Foreword

The Terrestrial Animal Health Code (the Terrestrial Code) provides standards for the improvement of animal health, animal welfare and veterinary public health worldwide. These standards should be used by Members to set up measures for the prevention, early detection, reporting and control of pathogenic agents in terrestrial animals (mammals, reptiles, birds and bees), including zoonotic agents. Implementation of the recommendations in the Terrestrial Code ensures the safety of international trade in animals and animal products, while avoiding unjustified sanitary barriers.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) has developed and published international standards since 1968. The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) recognises the role of the Organisation (under its foundational name ’Office International des Epizooties’) as the international standard setting organisation for animal health and zoonoses.

The development of new and revised standards for the Terrestrial Code is under the responsibility of the Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission (the Code Commission), which comprises six elected members. The Code Commission draws upon the expertise of internationally renowned experts to contribute to standards development to ensure that the standards are based on the latest scientific information. Comments from Members and partner International Organisations are sought through the twice-yearly circulation of new or revised texts. The Code Commission collaborates closely with other Specialist Commissions.

The Terrestrial Code is published annually in English, French and Spanish and may be viewed and downloaded from the World Organisation for Animal Health website (www.woah.org).

This edition includes new and amended texts in the following sections and chapters that were adopted by the World Assembly of Delegates of the World Organisation for Animal Health at the 91st General Session in May 2024:

• Glossary

• Disease, infections and infestations listed by WOAH (Chapter 1.3.)

• Application for official recognition by WOAH of free status for foot and mouth disease (Chapter 1.11.)

• General hygiene in semen collection and processing centres (Chapter 4.6.)

• Collection and processing of bovine, small ruminant and porcine semen (Chapter 4.7.)

• Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine (Chapter 6.10.)

• Slaughter of animals (Chapter 7.5.)

• Infection with foot and mouth disease virus (Chapter 8.8.)

• Infection with Rift Valley fever virus (Chapter 8.16.)

• Infection with Trichinella spp. (Chapter 8.18.)

• Infection with Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) (a new Chapter 8.22.)

• Infection with Trypanosoma evansi (a new Chapter 8.23.)

• Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (Chapter 13.2.)

• Infection with African swine fever virus (Chapter 15.1.)

• Infection with Camelpox virus (a new Chapter 16.1)

• Terminology: Use of terms 'Competent Authority', 'Veterinary Authority' and 'Veterinary Services'.

Details of the amendments made in this edition can be found in the 91st General Session report and Specialist Commissions reports, available on the World Organisation for Animal Health website (www.woah.org).

I wish to thank the members of the Code Commission, Delegates, international experts and other Specialist Commissions for their expert advice. Thanks also to the World Organisation for Animal Health staff who contributed to the work that has resulted in the publication of this 32nd edition of the Terrestrial Code.

Dr Monique Eloit Director General World Organisation for Animal Health

Members of the Code Commission (2023-2024):
President: Dr Etienne Bonbon
Vice-President: Dr Gaston Maria Funes
Vice-President: Prof. Salah Hammami
Members: Dr Lucio Ignacio Carbajo Goñi, Dr Kiyokazu Murai and Dr Bernardo Todeschini.

July 2024