As knowledge of animal health has expanded problems of determining priorities for control and treatment have increased. As animal production systems has changes the range and character of animal health problems has changed too and continue to do so. Against this background of change demand has grown for information systems which monitor developments and enable farmers, adviser and funding agencies to draw realistic conclusions. Deeper understanding o f the dymanics of major diseases has evolved un parallel with herd health work. Systems for collecting informaction determining and evaluating control strategies in economic terms and for monitoring progress were devoloped. The limiting factor is still the collection or reliable information particularyin many develo p e d countries. However, same progress has been made in these more difficult circumstances through surveys and monitoring scheemes. In Colombia, The Colombian German project in ICA has demostrated how necesary information can be gathered, and computerised data processing systems and analytical models are now available for generalised use Future plans involve the development o f animal health and productivity profiles to improve productivity on indivudual farms, and too provide a better basis for research project and policy formulation. 'They will also provide a better basis for technical assistance too and for re-orientation of professional and technical education.