Role of the AWWG and Responsibilities of OIE’s National Focal Points Regional Seminar for OIE National Focal Points for Animal Welfare from the Middle East and from North Africa Amman, Jordan, March 2014 Dr Leopoldo Stuardo Charge de Mission, International Trade Department World Organisation for Animal Health

OBJECTIVES OF THE SEMINAR

OBJECTIVES Support the member countries to implement OIE animal welfare standards (eight standards in Terrestrial Code and three in Aquatic Code); Discuss the implications of animal welfare for international trade, including international, regional and bilateral trade agreements; Reiterate the OIE animal welfare guidelines and identify the role and responsibility of national Veterinary Services, esp. Focal Points in this field; Share experience among member countries and provide practical examples to help Veterinary Services develop and implement veterinary legislation; Promote the discussion on the role of regional strategies to support implementation of the OIE animal welfare standards.

FIFTH STRATEGIC PLAN REINFORCING PRIORITY MISSIONS Animal health is a key component of animal welfare The OIE is recognised worldwide as the leader in developing international standards on animal welfare Animal welfare: a strategic commitment by the OIE

OIE ANIMAL WELFARE WORKING GROUP (AWWG) One of the OIE’s 3 permanent working groups

 AWWG MANDATE Development of standards leading to good practices in animal welfare (AW); Provision of expert advice on AW issues to OIE Specialist commissions; Provision of expert advice on AW issues to OIE Members and to stakeholder groups, including: –other international organisations; –industry / consumers; Provision of reports on AW issues; Maintaining international databases on: –AW information, including different national legislation and policies; –internationally recognised AW experts; –examples of good AW practice and implementation of OIE standards.

 AWWG MISSION To advise the Director General and the Aquatic and Terrestrial Commissions concerning OIE priorities and proposed activities in the field of animal welfare; Preparation and circulation of educational material to enhance awareness of OIE Members and stakeholders; Promotion of the inclusion of AW in undergraduate and post-graduate veterinary curricula; Identification of AW research needs and encouragement of collaboration between centres of research.

 AWWG MEMBERSHIP Representation from all OIE regions international NGOs and industry inputs from academia, the research community and relevant stakeholders. Dr Sira Abdul Rahman (Chair), Retd. Dean Bangalore Veterinary College (India) Dr David Bayvel, Chief Veterinary Advisor WSPA (New Zealand) Prof. Hassan Aidaros, Professor of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Banha Univ. (Egypt) Prof. David Fraser, Professor and Chair in Animal Welfare Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Centre for Applied Ethics University of British Columbia (Canada) Dr Andrea Gavinell,i Head of Unit European Commission Directorate General Health and Consumers Unit D5 – Animal Welfare (Italy) Dr Marosi Molomo, Director of Livestock Services Department of Livestock Services Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Botswana) Dr Peter Thornber, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australian Government (Australia) Other Participants (Industry) Mr Luc Mirabito, Chef de projet "Bien-être animal" - International Dairy Federation Institut de l'Elevage (France) Dr Vincent Guyonnet, International Egg Commission (France) Dr Jacques Servière, International Meat Secretariat (France)

 Animal welfare collaborating centres  Ad hoc Group meetings  Representing the OIE in relevant expert meetings  Proposing future priorities to the Commissions for submission to Member countries. OIE AWWG 1/2

 Amendments to adopted standards –New scientific evidence –Standard setting procedure  Aquatic animal welfare standards  Regional Commission engagement –Regional Animal Welfare Strategies (RAWS) –Focal point seminar programme OIE AWWG 2/2

FOCAL POINTS

RESPONSIBILITIES Focal points The Delegate is requested to designate, if possible, national focal points to comply with national obligations and to support him/her in the following fields: –Animal disease notification; –Wildlife; –Aquatic animals; –Veterinary products; –Animal production food safety; –Animal welfare; –Communication.

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE OIE NATIONAL FOCAL POINTS 1/3 Activities of the focal points in relation to OIE obligations are under the authority of the OIE Delegate. Information transmitted to the OIE from focal points must be under the designated authority of OIE Delegate whether focal points are: –under the jurisdiction of the Veterinary Authority, or –located in other Departments or Ministries not under VA jurisdiction From a legal perspective, the OIE considers the official OIE Delegate to be the unique representative of the country.

Terms of reference: Establish a network of animal welfare experts within his country or communicate with existing network; Establish dialogue, cooperation and communication between the Competent Authority for animal welfare and other relevant authorities; TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE OIE NATIONAL FOCAL POINTS 2/3

Receive reports of the Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission (Code Commission) and of the OIE Animal Welfare Working Group and other relevant reports and conduct the in-country consultation process; Prepare comments for the Delegate on relevant meeting reports, including comments on the proposals for new or revised OIE standards related to animal welfare. TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE OIE NATIONAL FOCAL POINTS 3/3

STANDARD SETTING PROCEDURE

OIE SPECIALIST COMMISSIONS AND STANDARDS Biological Standards Commission "Laboratories Commission" Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission "Code Commission" Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission "Aquatic Animals Commission"

Each one of the 178 OIE Member Countries has an equal voice in the development and adoption of standards and EACH MEMBER COUNTRY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE OIE IN THIS IMPORTANT WORK.

Updating International Standards Delegates ISSUE / PROBLEM Specialist Commissions Specialist Commissions Review Advice of experts or other Specialist Commissions Draft text Adoption Committee, Commissions, Delegates 12 OIE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD Comments 19 World Assembly

ROLES OF THE DELEGATES 1.Propose a new chapter or an amendment to an existing chapter 2.Comment on the draft chapters 3.Adopt the new / amended chapters 4.Keep the VS and AD diagnostic lab updated on the OIE standards, and Monitor national legislation to ensure their alignment with OIE standards, recommendations and guidelines Adopt 5-year Strategic Plan Adopt annual Work Programs of the Spec. Comm.

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE DRAFT CHAPTERS 1.Get the information: Each year: On the Delegate website (OIE secure access system) March October

DELEGATE WEBSITE Username and Password Login type Language EN/ES/FR

Delegate website Information

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE DRAFT CHAPTERS 1.Get the information: Report of the Code Commission (Code) Report of the Aquatic Commission (Code + Manual) Report of the Biological Standard Commission (Manual) (Report of the Scientific Commission)

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE DRAFT CHAPTERS 1.Get the information: (example) Report of the Code Commission (Code) –Introduction –Part A –Part B Important to read: Reports of the OIE Working and Ad Hoc Groups

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE DRAFT CHAPTERS 2.In country discussion/consultation: Delegate FP AW FP FP In-country consultation

UNIVERSITIES PRIVATE VETERNARIANS PRIMARY PRODUCTION SECTOR INDUSTRIAL SECTOR RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS DELEGATE CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER NATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF OIE STANDARDS DELEGATES OIE’s Regional Office

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE DRAFT CHAPTERS 3.Provide Comments to the OIE Via the Delegate to OIE International Trade Department By the deadline (60 days) According to the ‘comment code’: –Deletion: strikethrough –Addition: double underline –No track change mode – ‘Specific draft modifications’ as side comments Supported by a rationale (editorial, scientific) Can also be a question / request for clarification

HOW TO COMMENT ON THE DRAFT CHAPTERS 3.Provide Comments to the OIE OIE Member Countries have scheduled opportunities to comment on draft standards. October March May GS May GS Written comments Oral statements or requests for clarification

Thank you for your attention!