The health and welfare of working equids throughout the world has become one of the “new priorities” for the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), OIE officials said May 24 in Paris, France.

Convening for the organization’s 84th General Assembly, the 840 participants representing many of the 180 OIE member countries are expected to vote this week to adopt the condition of working equids as one of its key focal points for the upcoming year.

“It’s an important subject concerning many countries, as equids are still widely used for work throughout the world, especially traction work,” said Director General Monique Eloit, DVM. “This topic is a new priority for us, and it’s the beginning of a larger project, because it will later be expanded to other species of animals used for labor, such as bovines.”

As a key focal point, the topic will become one of the 49 “chapters” presented for vote during the six-day meeting. It results from two years of planning and development with member countries, according to Deputy Director General Brian Evans, DVM