September 28, 2004

Avian Flu and SARS: The Legal and Policy Challenges of Zoonotic Diseases

Co-Sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute
and the International Environmental Law Committee of the ABA International Section

In recent years, zoonotic diseases such as avian flu, SARS, foot and mouth disease and mad cow disease have become headline news. Outbreaks of these diseases in humans have drastically increased public focus on the interface between animal and human health, and on biodiversity conservation. This increased attention has highlighted the inadequacies of current law and public policies to deal with these matters.

On September 28, 2004, ELI held to a seminar with one of the foremost experts on the global, regional and national legal and policy issues brought to light by the recent avian flu and SARS outbreaks in Asia. Professor Koh Kheng-Lian, (Director, Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law, National University of Singapore Professor of Law, and Vice Chair for South and East Asia, International Conservation Union’s Commission on Environmental Law) addressed the current status and future of laws and policies relating to animal and human health, food security, and biodiversity conservation in Asia. She was introduced by J. William Futrell (Vice Chair for North America, IUCN Commission and former President, Environmental Law Institute).