AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE INTERNATIONAL EGG COMMISSION (IEC, INCORPORATING “EGG PROCESSORS INTERNATIONAL”)
AND
THE WORLD ORGANISATION OF ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE)

Adopted by the IEC on 6 July 2006 and by the OIE on 26 June 2006

1. The World Organisation for Animal Health, hereinafter referred to as OIE, and the International Egg Commission (incorporating “Egg Processors International”), hereinafter referred to as IEC, will keep the other party informed of its activities which may be of mutual interest.

2. The IEC represents producers of eggs and egg products internationally in both developed and developing countries. The IEC will provide the OIE with information, considered comment and feedback in relation to the practical application and adoption of OIE proposals.

3. The two organisations will endeavour to cooperate through both formal and informal consultations on issues of common interest, in particular on issues listed below.

ISSUES OF COMMON INTEREST

• The provision of general information on the egg production and processing sectors, particularly on its relations and interactions with official veterinary services.
• Cooperation in the development and revision of international animal welfare guidelines and standards relevant to the egg production industry.
• Cooperation in the development and revision of international standards that impact upon the trade of eggs and egg products, including international animal health and zoonoses standards.
• Veterinary research into diseases of egg producing species.
• Exchange of views on the approach by intergovernmental bodies such as WHO, FAO and their subsidiary body (Codex Alimentarius) on disease surveillance and control strategies which may impact on the egg sector and/or on international trade.
• Exchange of views and participation at meetings on relevant aspects of animal health and zoonoses, animal welfare and food safety.

4. Each organisation will invite the other party to participate as observer in its meeting where matters of mutual interest may arise and make the reports of these meetings available.

5. The OIE and IEC will exchange their catalogue of available publications to enable both organisations to request publications on activities related to their work. OIE and IEC will exchange free copies of documents and publications on subjects of mutual interest. Both organisations will benefit from the concessionary rates applied to their affiliated members or organisations for further orders of publications.