Paris, France

The OECD's origins date back to 1960, when 18 European countries, plus the United States and Canada, joined forces to create an organization dedicated to economic development. 

Today, the OECD 35 Member countries span the globe, from North and South America to Europe and Asia-Pacific. They include many of the world’s most advanced countries but also emerging countries like Mexico, Chile and Turkey. 

The OECD carries out influential research/consultations and provides policy recommendations. Its work covers areas such as testing, trade, agriculture and development. 

The OECD and the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) jointly developed guidance on “Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains” to help enterprises observe standards of responsible business conduct to ensure that their operations do not lead to adverse impacts and contribute to sustainable development. This includes animal welfare (see Page 26) and specifies that this should be in accordance with or exceeding OIE principles.

 The OECD recognizes the need to protect animals (“in general and in experimental work”) and takes this into account when developing test guidelines. It accepts the 3Rs principle and works to validate harmonized test methods to prevent duplication of testing.

They also prepared in-depth research on global antimicrobial use in the livestock sector.

The annual OECD Forum is a global platform for exchange of ideas, sharing knowledge and building networks. It brings together all stakeholders including government ministers, representatives of international organizations, and leaders of business, trade unions and civil society. 

The OECD Forum is held in conjunction with the annual ministerial meeting and enables all stakeholders to discuss key issues on the ministerial agenda with government ministers and senior officials of international organizations. 

The OECD involves civil society in a number of ways, including consultations, conferences and workshops - where civil society organizations are welcome to contribute.

Animal protection organizations have formed a coalition - the International Council on Animal Protection - to lobby for alternative methods that can replace, reduce and refine animal use in OECD guidelines and programs. 

• It is important to encourage reports on selected issues which fit into the OECD mandate/areas of interest. These should then lead into policy recommendations/advice.
• Now that they have worked on experimentation and agriculture and have been seen to be broadly sympathetic, it may be worthwhile targeting other well-selected issues.