When may international trade resume after a foreign animal disease outbreak?

The resumption of international trade following a foreign animal disease outbreak is closely tied to the adherence to standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). These standards are established to ensure that animal health is safeguarded and that trade does not contribute to the spread of disease across borders.

When a country experiences an outbreak, it must implement control measures and demonstrate to its trading partners that it has effectively managed the situation and is adhering to OIE guidelines that outline necessary steps for disease control and prevention. This might involve vaccination, testing, and surveillance, but it is the compliance with OIE standards that validates the safety of resuming trade.

While aspects such as local vaccination, acceptance from neighboring countries, and thorough testing of animals can be parts of the recovery and trade resumption process, they do not replace the requirement to meet OIE standards. International trading partners primarily look for assurance that the conditions set forth by OIE are fulfilled before re-establishing trade relations.