Zoning and Compartmentalisation in animal disease control / trading purposes Training Seminar for OIE Delegates from Europe Lyons, 5-6 November 2009 Dr Gastón Funes Head Regional Activities Department

Evolution within the OIE Historically, main efforts has been focused on country freedom Zoning Compartmentalisation is the new way forward A matter for true partnership

Zoning / compartmentalisation zoning/compartmentalisation (Z&C) are procedures which may be implemented by a country to define and manage animal subpopulations of distinct health status within its territory in accordance with recommendations in the Codes for purposes of national or regional disease control, and/or international trade

Zoning/compartmentalisation zoning applies to an animal sub-population defined primarily on a geographical basis compartmentalisation applies to an animal sub-population defined primarily by management and husbandry practices relating to biosecurity in practice, spatial considerations and good management are important in the application of both concepts

OIE Code definitions Zone a clearly defined part of a country … Compartment one or more establishments under a common biosecurity management system … ... containing an animal subpopulation with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease [or diseases] for which required surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been applied for the purpose of international trade

Advantages of the concepts Z&C allow a concentration of resources where there is a greater chance of success in controlling or eradicating a disease gaining or maintaining market access for certain commodities where freedom of the whole country from the disease is not possible or practicable implementation needs to have financial benefits (cost / benefit analysis needed)

zones INFECTED ZONE FREE ZONE FREE ZONE major BUFFER road ZONE BUFFER railway river FREE ZONE

Application of the concepts Not all situations allow themselves the real application of zones or compartments Effective implementation of zones and /or compartments will be influenced by technical issues: - epidemiology of the disease(s) of concern how spread, what species - country factors infrastructure, quality of vet services, public/private partnership - environmental factors natural barriers, temp/humidity, presence of vectors - biosecurity measures which may be able to be applied - the health status of animals in adjacent areas/countries

Implementation of zones / compartments implementation needs to be addressed at several levels infrastructure within which concepts may be effectively implemented (mainly for compartments) public/private sector relationship → partnership essential for compartmentalisation establishment and operation of individual zones and compartments it is necessary to work from top down if the higher level factors not addressed effectively, Z&C cannot be implemented

Implementation of Z&C concepts the Veterinary Authority is responsible for the essential national infrastructure within which zones or compartments may be effectively implemented needs to be in place prior to the establishment or definition of any zone or compartment the Veterinary Services (VS) need to have the authority and capability regarding the establishment and management of zones and compartments they have to be evaluated, at least with respect to their ability to oversee the establishment/management of zones / compartments (PVS)

Responsibilities of Veterinary Authority Sound relationships should be developed between VS and private sector (production and non-production) where Z&C are to be applied Effective systems in place should be ensured: appropriate animal ID and traceability system (flock, lot or individual animal level) appropriate national animal surveillance system animal health certification system

Responsibilities of Veterinary Authority To establish partnership with private sector (PS) -“who makes (or is responsible of) what?” To devise “general model” biosecurity plans with private sector, as “templates” for specific plans (CMPs) To devise generic Zoning/Compartmentalisation criteria To audit and monitor actions delegated to PS

Responsibilities of Private Sector managers To develop effective partnerships with the VS (device and implementation of bio-security plan, by delegation from the VA) To enhance awareness of owners and workers in production and non-production sectors of general bio-security principles To report accurately and quickly to the VS on disease occurrence To encourage biosecure management of all relevant premises (SOPs) Re-inforce need for effective partnerships

Implementation of Compartmentalisation: “a matter for true partnership” essential to develop effective partnerships between VS and managers in the animal production sector and related sectors e.g. equipment supply and maintenance, feed production and supply, animal transport and waste management VS need to have a good understanding of the structure and operations of the animal sector formal agreement describing the partnership between the VS and the enterprise, and their responsibilities (“who makes/is responsible of what?”) need a high level of mutual trust

Model biosecurity plan (BP) need to address all generic factors: assessment of the resources required and available (e.g financial, human and technical) identification of the subpopulation and its distinct animal health status - through relevant management and animal health records necessary surveillance, and procedures for the investigation and reporting of disease incidents

Model biosecurity plan (BP) Definition of the CMP: components of the establishment(s) and other premises which would constitute a compartment, Functional relationships of components of CMP: common biosecurity management system under which these components operate using diagrams to show flowcharts, functional boundaries, etc housing facilities, transport routes, feed distribution systems, work procedures, equipment maintenance Establishment - premises where animals are kept

Model biosecurity plan (BP) Standard operating procedures (SOPs), for management and husbandry practices, fully documented and registered, audited (by VA) to ensure compliance with the BP, personnel training quality assurance schemes animal movement controls animal health & surveillance human movement controls controls over vehicles security of feed and water sources and movement management of environmental risks security and soundness of buildings and equipment These could be significantly expanded

Model biosecurity plan (BP) Risks Assessment and Management relevant epidemiological factors potential pathways for entry and spread of the disease relevant environmental factors (exposure to pathogen(s)) other associated risks sanitary measures necessary to manage the risks relating a disease(s) in the subpopulation Incl. epidemio-surveillance (inside and outside CMP) how the risks would be regularly re-assessed and the SOPs adjusted accordingly

When building with compartmentalisation in mind!

Uses of Z&C in trade in disease control / eradication campaigns progressive zoning/compartmentalisation allows stepwise approach concentration of resources where greatest chance of success in trade to gain / maintain market access for certain commodities where whole country sourcing is not possible due to presence of disease(s) (or higher risks)

Trade negotiations Definition of Zones/Compts as per the OIE Code Code Article 4.3.3. establishes the « Principles for defining a zone or compartment, including containment zone » Procedures relevant to the SPS Agreement: Code Article 5.3.7. suggests "Sequence of steps to be taken in establishing a zone/compartment and negotiating with trading partners for its recognition The importing country should recognise the existence of this zone or compartment subject to the application of the appropriate recommendations in the Code or give scientific reasons for its non-recognition

Advantages of Z&C There is trade, even when the country or region is not free from specific disease(s) Guarantees the safety of the zone/compartment, even when the threats come from wildlife The resources to conduct the operation can come from various sources, even the beneficiaries Sharing of responsibilities: the beneficiaries are responsible for ensuring the biosecurity, with the auditing by government

For compartmentalisation to work! Compartmentalisation biosecurity plan has to be clear and credible Should have a good communication strategy to explain and market overall plan Should be discussed and agreed by importing partners during ‘peace time’

New OIE Checklist Checklist on the practical application of compartmentalisation for avian influenza and Newcastle disease distributed at the 2007 General Session not an OIE standard provides help to members wishing to implement compartmentalisation

Ongoing work 3 OIE main texts for assistance of Members: OIE Terrestrial Code Article 5.3.7. (SPS related matters) suggests sequence of steps to be taken in defining a zone/compartment, and negotiating with trading partners for its recognition; General guidelines on compartmentalisation were adopted in the last General Session and included in the OIE Terrestrial Code Chapter 4.4. on “Application of compartmentalisation”; Checklist on the practical application of compartmentalisation for AI & ND;

Implementation of Compartmentalisation in Europe Recoms Implementation of Compartmentalisation in Europe Recoms. 23rd Regional Conference Vilnius, Lithuania Early stages of implementation, Discussions between VA and PS, Mainly in poultry and pig productions, Concerns regarding trade issues, Lack of official recognition: commitment from European Countries to encourage mutual recognition Need of assistance from OIE: Practical implementation, Continuing development of standards, Pilot projects (experience), Strengthening of VS,

Thank you for your attention Organisation mondiale de la santé animale World Organisation for Animal Health Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal 12 rue de Prony, 75017 Paris, France - www.oie.int – oie@oie.int