OIE International Conference on Animal Identification and Traceability

The OIE and its Members move forward on the global implementation of animal identification and product traceability “from the farm to the fork” at the close of the OIE International Conference on Animal Identification and Traceability held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 23 to25 March 2009. “Discrepancies between national identification of live animals and traceability systems of animal products make it difficult to trace products of animal origin throughout the food chain at world level; developing countries risk losing out on market access because of trade barriers that sometimes are put in place as a result of these discrepancies. The best way to prevent this is for all countries to progressively implement international standards, such as those of the OIE and Codex”, Dr Bernard Vallat, OIE Director General, explained at the Conference. Participants also confirmed the need for strengthening the bridge between identification and traceability of live animals and of products of animal origin. “We should aim at establishing traceability throughout the whole food chain from primary production down to consumers. The public health goal can be achieved by seamlessly applying the standards and principles established by the OIE - at the farm level - and by the Codex Alimentarius Commission - at the food processing and distribution level,” Dr Kazuaki Miyagishima , Secretary for the Codex Alimentarius Commission insisted...Press Release

According Wikapedia this is who these folks are:

The Office international des épizooties (OIE, French for "International Epizootic Office"), now known as the World Organisation for Animal Health (Organisation mondiale de la santé animale in French), is an international intergovernmental organization founded in 1924. In March 2009, the OIE had 173 member countries. Its headquarters are in Paris, France.

The OIE's claimed missions are:

* to guarantee the transparency of animal disease status world-wide
* to collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary scientific information
* to provide expertise and promote international solidarity for the control of animal diseases
* to guarantee the sanitary safety of world trade by developing sanitary rules for international trade in animals and animal products.

The organization was created following the rinderpest epizootic in Belgium in 1920. The disease had originated in India and concern over the spread led to an international conference in Paris in March 1921. An agreement was signed on January 25, 1924 by 28 countries.

The Press Release also states:

The Conference benefited from the kind support of the Government of Argentina, the European Commission and the United States Department of Agriculture as well as of several private companies.

So how much did USDA pay to be a supporter of the conference? How many USDA employees attended? What policy positions did they advocate?