What was the primary reason for the creation of the OIE in 1924?

The establishment of the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) in 1924 was primarily a response to the urgent need to address the outbreak of rinderpest, a highly contagious viral disease that significantly affected livestock. The rampant spread of rinderpest posed serious threats to livestock health and agricultural economies, particularly in Europe where agriculture was a vital part of society and the economy.

Recognizing that the control of such infectious diseases required international collaboration, countries saw the necessity of forming an organization devoted to coordinating efforts and sharing information on veterinary health matters. This foundational purpose underscored the importance of establishing systems for disease control that transcended national borders, which were vital for the protection of both animal health and public health.

The other options, while relevant to veterinary medicine and agricultural trade, do not accurately reflect the primary impetus behind the creation of the OIE. For instance, the promotion of veterinary medicine in industrialized nations or the setting of standards for agricultural exports are broader goals that emerged later, while unifying health policies among UN members is a concept that relates more to public health as a whole rather than being specific to animal health as was the case with rinderpest. Thus, the primary reason for the formation of the OIE indeed