1. The OIE’s approach to zones and compartments
David Wilson
Director International Trade
OIE
Workshop on OIE international standards Beijing 2005

2. zoning/compartmentalisation
‘zoning’ and ‘regionalisation’ have the same meaning – ‘zoning’ is now used
zoning and compartmentalisation are procedures implemented by a country
to define sub-populations of different animal health status within its territory
in accordance with the recommendations in the OIE Codes
for the purpose of international trade

3. zoning/compartmentalisation
zoning/compartmentalisation allows a concentration of resources where there is greatest 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

4. zoning/compartmentalisation
zoning applies to an animal sub-population defined on a geographical basis
compartmentalisation applies to an animal sub-population defined by management practices relating to biosecurity

5. OIE definitions Zone/Region Compartment
a clearly defined part of a country …
Compartment
one or more establishments (premises in which animals are kept) under a clearly defined common biosecurity management system …

6. OIE definitions
… containing an animal sub-population 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

7. application of the concepts
the extent of a zone is established on the basis of natural, artificial or legal boundaries
the requirements for a compartment are established on the basis of management practices relating to biosecurity
by the Veterinary Administration
geographic considerations and sound management practices play a role in the application of both concepts

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

9. Compartment Equipment BREEDING FLOCK FEED SUPPLY Feed Equipment
Birds
Feed
Feed
Equipment
GROWING
FLOCK
Equipment
Birds
Birds
Equipment
Birds
SLAUGHTER
HOUSE
GROWING
FLOCK
Equipment

10. application of the concepts
there are Code recommendations for zones and compartments for diseases for which the concepts are appropriate
the recommendations depend on
epidemiology of the disease
environmental factors
appropriate and applicable biosecurity measures
necessary surveillance

11. epidemiology how does the disease spread ?
by live animals / humans ?
by meat / eggs / semen ?
by farm or veterinary equipment ?
by wind ?
by biting insects ?
what species does it affect ?
clinical signs ?

12. environmental factors
temperature / humidity
natural barriers
ocean / major river
mountain range
artificial barriers
state / county boundary
road / rail system

13. biosecurity measures management regulations re biosecurity
dedicated equipment
staff showering in-and-out
animals housed vs free range
imposed movement controls

14. surveillance necessary surveillance for presence / absence of pathogen
prevalence of disease
seasonal factors eg biting insects
strains of virus eg FMD
intermediate hosts eg tick-borne diseases

15. application of the concepts
a Veterinary Administration must document the measures taken to
identify the animal sub-population
recognise its distinct health status
maintain its distinct health status
dossier will be as detailed as situation requires
compartmentalisation requires good cooperation and trust between industry and govt

16. animal sub-population
dairy cattle herds in 4 adjacent counties
bison and buffalo in Alberta
wild pig population in a forest in Germany
poultry flocks managed by Tysons Inc as a unit
wild waterfowl in a water catchment area during the breeding season
beef cattle over 3 years of age in the UK

17. examples of health status
infected
free with vaccination
free without vaccination
seasonally free
unknown

18. application of the concepts
if an exporting country wants to define a zone or compartment within its territory for an OIE-listed disease, it needs to implement the recommendations stipulated in the Code for setting up and maintaining such a zone or compartment
or equivalent measures

19. application of the concepts
an importing country should recognise the existence of this zone or compartment, subject to the application of the appropriate recommendations in the Code
with regard to the importation, or transit through its territory, of commodities from that zone or compartment

20. Uses in disease control / eradication campaign in trade zone
progressive zoning/compartmentalisation allows stepwise approach
allows concentration of resources where greatest chance of success
in trade zone
to gain / maintain market access for certain commodities
where whole country freedom not possible / practicable

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