The 17th Conference of the OIE Regional Commission for the Americas will be meeting in Panama on Nov. 16-19, 2004, reports Meat News Daily. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease are to be the central issues.

The conference will focus on veterinary education and risk communication topics. Also to be discussed are: animal health status in member countries in 2004, the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission and an overview on the issue of new international standards on control of avian influenza, BSE and foot-and-mouth disease.

The statements of the Conference on new international standards and recommendations on veterinary education and risk communications will help member countries of the OIE Regional Commission for the Americas to adopt a common position. This will then be discussed with the countries of other continents during the OIE General Session of all member countries in May 2005, in Paris, France.