Aquatic Animal Health: The International Perspective     Gilles_Olivier   Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Gulf Fisheries Centre, Gulf Region, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada E1C 9B6     In 1995, several events have confirmed that Aquatic Animal Health was now recognized at the international level.  First, the World Trade Organization was created January 1, 1995, succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). On the same date WTO member countries also adopted the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (The SPS Agreement). The SPS Agreement sets out the basic rules for food safety and animal and plant health standards. Furthermore, the SPS Agreement states that for animal health and zoonoses, the standards, guidelines and recommendations are those developed under the auspices of the International Office of Epizooties (OIE). It is therefore not surprising that, in 1995, the OIE published the first Edition of their International Aquatic Animal Health Code (AAHC) and the Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal Diseases. These publications were further updated in 1997 and in 2000-2001. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is now developing a National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP). It is hoped that this presentation will clearly illustrate that aquatic animal health is being internationalized.