Animal health governance: Between biosecurity and a global public good

Abstract

The history, definition and objectives of animal health policies are reviewed in this article. These policies combine numerous potentially contradictory objectives in public health, agricultural economics, international trade and animal welfare, while recently also being a component of the One Health triptych. This latter objective emerged as a consequence of the drive of the international community (FAO, WHO and OIE [World Organisation for Animal Health]) to achieve global health. Animal health is becoming both a biosecurity issue and a global public good. This reframing helps mobilize the international community according to the scale of the threat and the general interest. The case of avian influenza in Vietnam showcases the need to ensure that this reframing does not marginalize local issues and knowledge. Animal health is a political target that needs to be denaturalized. Social sciences can highlight the competing interests and values at stake in the animal health concept, while nurturing the debate on how it could help build a safer world and enhance solidarity between States, as well as between humans and animals.