Resources Publications

Press releases

IFAH statement on Rabies vaccination

29/06/2012

Brussels, 25 May 2012 - Statement on Rabies from Barbara Freischem, Executive director of the International Federation of Animal Health (IFAH): “With the confirmation of at least one case of Rabies in the UK this week, we can clearly see the benefits of remaining vigilant of diseases that pass from animals to people. In the case of Rabies, vaccinating animals is the key way to protect both animals and people; vaccination has profoundly influenced and improved world health for both people and animals, and will continue to be a fundamental...

Read more

IFAH welcomes the 1st VICH Outreach Forum

26/06/2012

1st meeting to discuss wider international harmonisation of registration requirements, exchange information and increase awareness of VICHBrussels, 26 June 2012 – IFAH welcomes the first VICH Outreach Forum which meets in Brussels today and brings together 8 countries: Argentina, Brazil, China, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, and Ukraine. Their questions, concerns and how they want to interact with VICH members will be heard and discussions will be held on how to facilitate global trade and production, and ensure availability of...

Read more

IFAH reveals outcome of Global Benchmarking Survey on Animal Health Industry

21/06/2012

Calls for realistic risk assessment approach in order to achieve best regulatory practice Brussels, 20 November 2012 – The fourth successive five-yearly Benchmarking Survey commissioned by the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) highlights the need to work globally towards a benefit: risk assessment framework. The findings come at a time when governments around the world are weighing the direct and indirect costs of regulatory policies for veterinary medicines. Key findings in the report include: • Time to gain...

Read more

IFAH white paper underlines the economic and social costs of animal diseases

05/06/2012

Call for integrated health surveillance and disease control measuresBrussels/London, 5 October 2012 – Today the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) launched a white paper on the social and economic impacts of animal health diseases globally. The report concludes that animal diseases have economic impacts much beyond the direct costs caused by disease itself. In order to achieve progress in the control of animal diseases and in the reduction of these socio-economic impacts, further investments and continued efforts are needed in...

Read more

World Veterinary Day 2012: IFAH renews call for responsible use of antimicrobials

27/04/2012

Brussels, 28 April 2012 – The International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) renews its call for responsible use of antimicrobials on the occasion of World Veterinary Day 2012. Initiated by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) in 2000, World Veterinary Day recognizes the vital work that veterinarians perform and, in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), rewards the most successful celebrations of the veterinary profession by national veterinary associations and bodies every year. The theme of this year’s...

Read more

A message from IFAH's President

30/03/2012

Brussels, 30 March, 2012 - Juan Ramón Alaix, President of the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH), addressed IFAH’s 22nd Ordinary General Assembly today with a message of encouragement for the animal health industry across the world. Listing many accomplishments in 2011 he re-enforced IFAH’s goal to promote a balanced regulatory environment relying on science-based decision making that supports innovation, in order to provide veterinarians and animal owners with new products to fight disease. With a growing world population...

Read more

IFAH and FAO drive veterinary medicine standards to safeguard animals and farmers from counterfeit products

28/02/2012

Brussels, 1 March 2012 - The International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) are working closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to support the setting of internationally accepted pharmaceutical standards or monographs for veterinary medicines used in the prevention and treatment of Animal African Trypanosomosis, a fatal disease that has devastating effects on animal and human health, economic development and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Through...

Read more

IFAH Statement on 250 years of the veterinary profession: Where does IFAH see the future challenges for the profession?

13/10/2011

13 October 2011 – Cape Town - The future challenges for the veterinary profession have been highlighted at a number of recent international events, all of which have been reflected at this 30th World Veterinary Conference celebrating the 250th anniversary of the veterinary profession. Barbara Freischem, IFAH’s Executive Director, commented on the topic of food security in terms of veterinarians’ role: “FAO has long highlighted the need to feed a growing population with the finite resources of our world. We need to use every bit of...

Read more

IFAH addresses benefits and risks of antimicrobials

12/10/2011

Renews call for regulation based on scientific risk analysis 12 October 2011 – Cape Town – At the World Veterinary Congress in South Africa yesterday, the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) directly addressed the responsible use of antibiotics and renewed its call for a regulatory system based on risk analysis and science. IFAH Executive Director Barbara Freischem, delivering a presentation at the conference entitled Benefits, Risks and Challenges related to the use of Antibiotics, said: “It is a challenge that 25% of...

Read more

Science as the core principle for Codex Alimentarius decision-making process remains a challenge, notes IFAH

09/07/2011

Geneva, 9 July 2011 – The debate on the adoption of proposed food safety standards for the veterinary drug ractopamine at the 34th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission was dominated by national interests, which won out over science-based decision-making, says the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH), as standards continue to be held at step 8 for another year. The discussion at the 34th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission again highlights the need to demonstrate the strength of the Codex process through...

Read more