Introduction to the OIE David Wilson Director International Trade OIE Introduction to the OIE Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) : OIE SPS Workshop Bangkok 2005

Topics for discussion role and structure of the OIE OIE’s international standards quality of veterinary services food safety and animal welfare OIE’s dispute settlement process animal health information

Role and structure of the OIE

The OIE World Organisation for Animal Health an intergovernmental organisation operating expenses are paid by voluntary member country contributions founded in 1924 by 28 countries predates the UN 167 Member Countries headquarters in Paris 5 Regional Representatives

167 Member Countries Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) : In May 2004, the OIE totaled 167 Member Countries. En mai 2004, l’OIE comptait 167 Pays Membres. Americas: 29 Africa: 50 Europe: 49 Middle East: 13 Asia, Far-East and Oceania: 26

The OIE’s objectives animal health information ensure transparency in global animal health situation collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary information of scientific value

The OIE’s objectives activities of veterinary services contribute expertise and encourage a coordinated international approach to disease outbreaks strengthen veterinary services, through improving their legal framework and resources

The OIE’s objectives international standards within its WTO mandate, safeguard world trade by producing international health standards for animals and animal products to improve the safety of food of animal origin to promote animal welfare through a science-based approach

Africa, Asia-Far East & Oceania, Americas, Europe, Middle East INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE Administrative Commission Director General Specialist Commissions Terrestrial Code, Aquatic Animals, Biological Standards, Scientific Regional Commissions Africa, Asia-Far East & Oceania, Americas, Europe, Middle East Central Bureau Collaborating Centres Reference Laboratories Ad hoc Groups Working Groups Administrative and Financial Department Animal Health Information Department International Trade Department Scientific and Technical Department Regional Activities Department Publications Department Regional Representatives

OIE International Committee highest authority of the OIE comprises all the OIE Delegates usually the Chief Veterinary Officers focal point for OIE in his/her country meets at least once a year principle of 'one country, one vote‘ elects members of the governing bodies of the OIE elects members of the Specialist Commissions appoints the Director General for a 5-year term Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) : [source : www.oie.int] The International Committee is the highest authority of the OIE. It comprises all the Delegates and meets at least once a year. The General Session of the International Committee lasts five days and is held every year in May in Paris. Voting by Delegates within the International Committee respects the democratic principle of 'one country, one vote'. The International Committee elects the members of the governing bodies of the OIE (President and Vice-President of the Committee, Members of the Administrative Commission, Regional and Specialist Commissions). He appoints the Director General of the OIE for a five year mandate. Le Comité international est l’organe suprême de l’OIE. Il est composé de tous les Délégués et se réunit au moins une fois par an. Sa Session générale, qui dure cinq jours, se tient tous les ans au mois de mai à Paris. Le vote des Délégués, au sein du Comité international, respecte le principe démocratique de "un pays, une voix". Le Comité international élit les membres des organes directeurs de l’OIE (Président et Vice-Président du Comité, Membres de la Commission administrative, des Commissions régionales et des Commissions spécialisées). Il nomme le Directeur général de l’OIE pour un mandat de cinq ans.

Administrative Commission acts as board of management represents the International Committee during interval between General Sessions examines technical and administrative matters to be presented to International Committee for approval programme of OIE technical work OIE budget Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) : Insérer le texte instaurant la commission

Specialist Commissions role is to use current scientific information to study problems of epidemiology and the prevention and control of animal diseases develop and revise OIE's international standards to address scientific and technical issues raised by Member Countries but not bilateral trade problems which OIE may address through mediation

Specialist Commissions Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases Biological Standards Commission Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission

Specialist Commissions The Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission (Terrestrial Code Commission) responsible for updating the Terrestrial Animal Health Code annually responsible for ensuring it reflects current scientific information

Specialist Commissions The Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases assists in identifying the most appropriate strategies and measures for disease surveillance disease prevention and control examines Member Country submissions regarding their animal health status for those countries that wish to be included on the OIE official list of free countries and zones for certain diseases

Specialist Commissions The Biological Standards Commission establishes or approves methods for diagnosing diseases of mammals, birds and bees testing biological products, such as vaccines, used for control purposes oversees production of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals

Specialist Commissions Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission compiles information on diseases of fish, molluscs and crustaceans, and on methods used to control these diseases responsible for updating the Aquatic Animal Health Code and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals ensuring they reflect current scientific information

Regional Representatives 5 OIE Regional Représentatives Africa (Bamako, Mali) Americas (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Asia, Far East and Oceania (Tokyo, Japan) Dr T Fujita Europe (Sofia, Bulgaria) Middle East (Beirut, Lebanon) Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) : Insérer quelques informations sur chacune des commissions

International relationships WHO and FAO eg on AI control WTO eg on capacity building through STDF Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) eg on common standards International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) eg on common approaches World Bank eg on funding for capacity building

International relationships World Veterinary Association Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) eg on Olympics International Dairy Federation (IDF) International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) International Meat Secretariat (IMS) Some regional orgs eg OAU-IBAR, IICA

OIE’s international standards

OIE’s WTO mandate WTO SPS Agreement recognises OIE as a reference organisation for international standards (3 sisters)

Standard-setting organisations food safety CODEX animal health OIE plant health IPPC The agreement explicitly recognizes as the relevant international standards those developed by Codex for food safety, those of the OIE for animal health and zoonoses, and those of the FAO IPPC for plant protection. Recent work by the OIE in cooperation with the Codex on food safety issues arising from diseases of animals may more clearly define the border between animal health and food safety concerns. What this means, is that governments which essentially write the OIE recommendations into their national requirements for animal health benefit from a legal presumption that they are complying also with their WTO obligations. The OIE recommendations are considered to be based on a risk analysis and not more trade restrictive than necessary to ensure adequate animal health protection. The OIE and other “sisters” are also consulted in the process of settling trade disputes at the WTO. In particular, they are asked for advice on internationally renowned experts in certain diseases or matters. Codex = Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission OIE = World Organisation for Animal Health IPPC = International Plant Protection Convention (FAO)

Why standards are necessary international public good enhance safety of international trade fewer disease outbreaks encourage harmonisation of national legislation and control measures fewer unjustified restrictions on trade promote fairer trade benefits to developing countries especially

Influences on standards from exporting countries for less restrictions from importing countries for maximum protection from producers / consumers / NGOs objective science

OIE international standards OIE develops and publishes health standards for trade in animals and animal products and biological standards through elected Specialist Commissions adopted by OIE Member Countries during General Session each May by consensus no other pathway for adoption

OIE International Standards Terrestrial Animal Health Code Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals Aquatic Animal Health Code Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals

Updating OIE standards issue / problem identified by Delegate, OIE Commission, industry, scientist, individual new scientific information eg from research or disease outbreak new disease - emerging new approaches eg vaccination addressed by appropriate Commission as new or revised standard using appropriate expert advice on disease or procedure

Updating OIE standards COMMITTEE, COMMISSIONS, DELEGATES PROBLEM Specialist Commissions Updating OIE standards Review Advice of experts or other Specialist Commissions Draft text 1 2 Comments DELEGATES COMMITTEE OIE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD Adoption

Updating OIE standards increasingly, expert advice is outside government and OIE utilises all sources individual / expert group from industry / academia / government other OIE Commission or Reference Lab transitional period for transparency NGOs with OIE agreement are consulted with as per Member Countries eg IDF experts may participate in meetings Commission reports on OIE Web site

Updating OIE standards Commission proposal circulated for comment to Member Countries, experts, organisations Commission may revise proposal on basis of comments received discussed by Delegates at General Session may be discussed only and returned for further work may be adopted as OIE international standard opportunity for all to be involved in standards development

OIE trade standards

OIE Codes recommend health measures to be used by veterinary authorities or other competent authorities to establish health regulations for the safe importation of animals and animal products while avoiding unjustified trade restrictions now expanding into animal welfare and food safety

Principles in the Codes WTO obligations complied with scientific basis for recommendations assessment of risk factors evaluation of veterinary services zoning and compartmentalisation epidemiological surveillance credible health certification importing country assumed to be free of disease or with a control programme

Evolution of OIE standards harmonisation between Terrestrial and Aquatic Codes and with Codex and IPPC standards to extent possible regular updating of chapters based on latest scientific information re-emphasis from disease status to risk-based measures for commodities ‘safe’ commodities interactive publications

OIE biological standards

OIE biological standards OIE harmonises diagnostic testing and vaccination procedures through use of standard diagnostic methods – OIE Manuals Reference Laboratories / Collaborating Centres International Reference Sera quality assurance guidelines supports laboratories in Member Countries  reliable results coordinated by BSC and AAHSC

OIE Manuals describe internationally agreed laboratory methods for disease diagnosis for production and control of biological products ‘prescribed’ and ‘alternative’ tests for OIE listed diseases

Reference Laboratories 157 Reference Laboratories in 30 countries cover 80 diseases and topics centres of expertise and standardisation to other laboratories and to OIE store and distribute reagents develop / validate new diagnostic tests coordinate scientific / technical studies provide scientific and technical training prepare and distribute proficiency tests

Collaborating Centres 15 Collaborating Centres in 7 countries centres of expertise to OIE and Member Countries on generic issues help develop procedures to harmonise international animal disease regulations coordinate collaborative studies provide training organise scientific meetings for the OIE

Quality of veterinary services

Quality of vet services quality of veterinary services of a country depends on a range of factors including fundamental principles of an ethical, organisational and technical nature veterinary services should conform to these fundamental principles regardless of the political, economic or social situation compliance with these fundamental principles important to confidence in its vet certificates fundamental principles apply to any organisation with similar responsibilities

Quality of vet services quality of veterinary services can be measured through an evaluation principles apply to the evaluation of the veterinary services of another country and to the evaluation of a country’s own veterinary services purpose of evaluation to assist a national authority in the decision-making process regarding resources and priorities to be given to its own veterinary services (self evaluation) part of a risk analysis process to determine the health measures which an importing country will use to protect itself from disease threats posed by imports

Quality of vet services in evaluation for international trade importing country should attempt to acquire information according to model Code questionnaire relative ranking in the evaluation of the criteria described may vary according to circumstances in both situations, evaluation should show that the veterinary services have the capability for effective knowledge and control of health status of animals and animal products either generally or for specific commodity groups

OIE’s mandate for food safety

OIE’s food safety goal to reduce food borne risks to human health by preventing, eliminating or controlling hazards arising from animals prior to slaughter of the animal or primary processing of the product ie at the farm level

OIE food safety WG manages OIE food safety activities terms of reference consider all food-borne hazards arising from animals before slaughter, or before primary processing of the product primary focus on food safety measures applicable at the farm level develop work programme taking into account food safety priorities and current work of relevant international organisations, especially Codex

Coordination with Codex need for Codex and OIE to jointly review standards and identify gaps / duplications joint standards mutual recognition of standards linkages between standards priorities zoonoses not currently appropriately addressed in the Code eg brucellosis and tuberculosis those not always affecting animals eg salmonellosis, heavy metals

Coordination with Codex OIE involved in work of Codex Codex Committee on General Principles Codex Committee on Meat Hygiene (former) Codex Committee on Food Hygiene Codex Committee on Milk and Milk Products Ad hoc Task Force on Animal Feeding Codex Committee on residues of veterinary drugs Task Force on foods derived from biotechnology

Current food safety priorities dual roles and functionalities of veterinary services throughout the food chain public health and animal health good farming practices to minimise hazards at farm level control of hazards of public and animal health importance through AM and PM inspection antimicrobial resistance prudent use TB/brucellosis chapters salmonellosis/campylobacteriosis

OIE’s mandate for animal welfare

Animal welfare why did the OIE take up animal welfare? OIE Member Countries considered OIE to be well placed to provide international leadership identified as high priority for 2001-2005 OIE Strategic Plan some countries (including developing countries) not comfortable as thought AW would be used as another trade barrier

Animal welfare essential linkage between animal health and animal welfare complex issue with important scientific, ethical, cultural, religious and political dimensions essential to have a scientific base but account must be taken of other dimensions

Animal welfare OIE standards need to be relevant to all Member Countries essential to involve broad range of stakeholders, inside / outside government OIE committed to use all available expertise – academia, research community, industry, relevant NGOs – to ensure best outcomes

Animal welfare permanent Working Group manages OIE animal welfare activities priority given to welfare of animals used in agriculture and aquaculture as first task, WG developed mission statement, policies and guiding principles to provide sound foundation from which to develop specific guidelines and standards guiding principles adopted at 2004 General Session

AW standards outcomes oriented - what does an animal need and what options achieve those needs competent animal handlers very important land and sea transport allocate responsibilities over entire journey killing for disease control purposes assumed decision to kill animals already made slaughter for human consumption addressing cultural and religious issues

OIE dispute settlement process

Dispute settlement if requested by Member Countries, OIE may act as ‘mediator’ to help resolve differences on a particular technical issue scientific not legal based process voluntary outcomes not binding, unless agreed at start OIE experts discuss issues and make recommendations can be alternative to WTO process or precursor to it

OIE animal health information

Purpose improve knowledge of global animal health situation promote transparency in reporting disease outbreaks and incidents active search and verification of non-official information new disease notification system single disease lists for terrestrial and aquatic animals (no longer Lists A and B)

MC’s obligations OIE Member Countries agree to fulfil their international reporting obligations as laid down in the Terrestrial and Aquatic Codes to make available to other countries, through the OIE, whatever information is necessary to minimise the spread of important animal diseases and to assist in achieving better worldwide control of these diseases Chapter 1.1.2 of Terrestrial Animal Health Code for terrestrial animal diseases Chapter 1.2.1 of Aquatic Animal Health Code for aquatic animal diseases

OIE Early Warning System from 1 January 2005 immediate notification and follow-up reports to report Diseases New obligations of Member Countries based on Infections Other epidemiological events

OIE Early Warning System MCs shall send to the Central Bureau within 24 hours, info on any of the following events: first occurrence of a listed disease and/or infection in a country or zone/compartment re-occurrence of a listed disease and/or infection in a country or zone/compartment, following a report declaring the outbreak ended first occurrence of a new strain of a pathogen in a country or zone/compartment

OIE Early Warning System a sudden and unexpected increase in the distribution, incidence, morbidity or mortality of a disease prevalent within a country or zone/compartment an emerging disease with significant morbidity or mortality, or zoonotic potential evidence of change in the epidemiology of a listed disease (including host range, pathogenicity, strain) in particular if there is a zoonotic impact

OIE Global Info System weekly reports to provide further info on the evolution of the incident or epidemiological situation these reports continue until the incident / situation has been resolved - final report then submitted weekly reports to provide further info on the evolution of the incident or epidemiological situation these reports continue until the incident / situation has been resolved - final report then submitted OIE animal health information

OIE Global Info System a six-monthly report on the absence or presence, and evolution of diseases listed by the OIE and info of epidemiological significance to other countries an annual report in collaboration with WHO and FAO addressing also non-listed diseases veterinary services livestock populations human cases of zoonoses

OIE Web site early warning notices Weekly Disease Information OIE International Standards information on animal diseases and zoonoses

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