1. 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

2. 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

3. Role and structure of the OIE

4. 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

5. 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: Asia, Far-East and Oceania: 26

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 :
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.

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. OIE’s international standards

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

23. 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)

24. 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

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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. OIE trade standards

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. OIE biological standards

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. Quality of veterinary services

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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

45. OIE’s mandate for food safety

46. 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

50. 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

51. OIE’s mandate for animal welfare

52. 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 OIE Strategic Plan
some countries (including developing countries) not comfortable as thought AW would be used as another trade barrier

53. 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

54. 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

55. 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

56. 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

57. OIE dispute settlement process

58. 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

59. OIE animal health information

60. 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)

61. 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 of Terrestrial Animal Health Code for terrestrial animal diseases
Chapter of Aquatic Animal Health Code for aquatic animal diseases

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

63. 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

64. 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

65. 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

66. 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

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

68. World organisation for animal health
12 rue de Prony
75017 Paris, France
Tel: 33 (0)
Fax: 33 (0)