Which of the following is a FALSE statement about the OIE?

The statement that is identified as false reflects a misunderstanding of the role of the OIE, which stands for the World Organisation for Animal Health. While the OIE is indeed a global organization focused on improving animal health and welfare, it does not establish the rules of trade between nations. Instead, it provides standards and guidelines that facilitate international trade while ensuring animal health and safety. The rules of trade are primarily governed by agreements made between individual countries and are also influenced by organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The other statements accurately describe aspects related to animal health and diseases. The term synonymous with foreign animal disease represents the cross-border nature of such diseases, which aligns with the OIE's focus on monitoring and controlling these issues. The mention of infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans correctly points to zoonoses, highlighting the interconnectedness of animal and human health—another significant aspect of the OIE's mission. Furthermore, the use of "epizootic" appropriately describes an outbreak of animal disease, similar to how "epidemic" is used for human diseases, which is in line with definitions applied in veterinary public health.