The meeting addressed the interconnected themes of prevention, preparedness and response to global health challenges arising from animals (zoonosis) and the surveillance of international trade in animal products due to its impact on food safety and human health.
Ms. Eloit and Mr. Di Stefano welcomed the recent opening, in Palermo, of an office of the Mediterranean Animal Health Network (REMESA), a joint effort of OIE and FAO, which will strengthen animal health surveillance in the Mediterranean region and importantly enhance regional collaboration.
“We must look at the planet holistically,” said the Deputy Minister, “and consider the environment, biodiversity, human and animal health on the same scale. This is why Italy welcomes the ‘One Health’ approach promoted by OIE and intends to raise the level of attention and responsibility of States during the G20 Presidency, by deepening the interconnections between human and animal health, within the multilateral dimension. We believe that in such a strongly globalised context, as fully demonstrated by the Covid-19 pandemic, we can no longer distinguish between the two. Italy, as always, wants to become a model of good practice for the whole world”.
