The OIE: General working principles, operating modalities and standard setting process AU-IBAR Abidjan, Cote d Ivoire April 2013

Transcription

1 The OIE: General working principles, operating modalities and standard setting process AU-IBAR Abidjan, Cote d Ivoire April 2013 Dr Gideon Brückner President: Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases 1

2 Intergovernmental organisation established in 1924 Currently 178 members International standard organisation for animal health, welfare and zoonosis mandated by WTO Decision-making body is the World Assembly of Delegates 1 country/1 vote 2

3 World Organisation for Animal Health Organisation mondiale de la santé animale Common name adopted by the International Committee in May

4 UN W.H.O F.A.O Codex Alimentarius Commission IPPC

5 Members 5

6 178 Members America : 29 Africa : 52 Europe: 51 Middle-East : 13 Asia/Pacific: 29 6

7 The OIE s objectives New objectives INTERNATIONAL STANDARD within its WTO mandate, to safeguard world trade by publishing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products to provide a better guarantee of the safety of food of animal origin, and to promote animal welfare, through a science-based approach 7

8 Regional Commissions Africa, Americas, Europe, Asia- Far East and Oceania, Middle East INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE Administrative Commission Director General Specialist Commissions Code, Laboratories, Aquatic animals, Scientific Human Resources and Budget Management Unit Accounts Unit World Animal Health and Welfare Fund Coordination Deputy Director General Administration, Finances, Human Resources Administrative and Management Systems Department Central Bureau Deputy Director General Animal Health and International Standards International Trade Department Collaborating Centres Regional Activities Department Publications Department Scientific and Technical Department Animal Health Information Department Reference Laboratories Ad hoc Groups Working Groups Regional and sub-regional Representations 8

9 The OIE World Assembly of Delegates the highest authority of the OIE comprises all the OIE Delegates meets at least once a year principle of one country, one vote elects the members of the governing bodies of the OIE elects the members of the Specialist Commissions appoints the Director General for a 5-year term 9

10 The Delegate usually the Chief Veterinary Officer of his/her country member of the International Committee (General Session) in permanent contact with the OIE should inform the OIE of the animal disease situation of his country ensures that the legislation in force in his country is based on OIE standards and if necessary, on a scientific risk analysis focal point for the OIE in his / her country 10

11 OIE focal points National specialist focal points: aquatic animal diseases, wildlife, sanitary information systems, veterinary medicinal products animal welfare 11

12 The OIE Council 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 elected for a 3-year term (with the exception of the former President) meets twice a year at least 12

13 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 address scientific and technical issues raised by Member Countries but not bilateral trade problems which OIE may address through mediation 13

14 Specialist Commissions (cont.) Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission "Code Commission" Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases "Scientific Commission" Biological Standards Commission "Laboratories Commission" Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission "Aquatic Animals Commission" 14

15 Specialist Commissions (cont.) Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission "Code Commission" Responsible for updating the Terrestrial Animal Health Code annually 15

16 Specialist Commissions (cont.) Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases "Scientific Commission" Assits in identifying the most appropriate strategies and measures for: disease surveillance disease prevention and control responsible for ensuring standards reflect current scientific information Examines Member Countries 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

17 Specialist Commissions (cont.) Biological Standards Commission "Laboratories 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

18 Specialist Commissions (cont.) Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission "Aquatic Animals 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 18

19 Regional Commissions 5 Regional Commissions AFRICA AMERICAS ASIA, FAR EAST and OCEANIA EUROPE MIDDLE EAST Bureau: 1 president 2 vice-presidents 1 Secretary General 19

20 Working Groups Wildlife Diseases Animal Production Food Safety Animal Welfare 20

21 Ad Hoc Groups Set up, when needed, with world renowned scientists to make recommendations to the Specialist Commissions on selected topics in standard setting and development 21

22 International Relationships (cont.) Technical and scientific cooperation with more than 20 regional organisations and international professional associations Regional Organizations: Andean Community AOAD AU-IBAR CEBEVIRHA CPS ECOWAS European Commission IICA OIRSA PVC PAHO SADC 22

23 Source of Early Warning Disease reports Reports from Members Reports from worldwide network of OIE Reference Labs. Active search and tracking of unofficial sources, such as scientific publications and ProMed, and lay publications, with verification of Members Improved Members surveillance policies internal and international resources 23

24 Member countries health information national systems - Immediate notification and follow-up - Six-monthly reports - Annual report World Animal Health Information OIE-Info distribution list : Alert messages OIE s Reference Laboratories and Collaborating Centres reports World Animal Health (publication) 24

25 Global Early Warning System (GLEWS) Joint OIE/FAO/WHO initiative Animal disease and zoonoses tracking Emergency response Trends analysis predictions Capacity building of Veterinary Services for surveillance and early warning and response (animal sector) List of priority animal diseases, zoonoses and emerging diseases 25

26 OIE International Standards 26

27 WTO mandate of the OIE Standard-setting organizations food safety CODEX animal health OIE plant health IPPC Codex = Joint FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission OIE = World Organization for Animal Health IPPC = International Plant Protection Convention (FAO) 27

28 Measures, according to SPS a health measure must be based on an international standard, if one exists unless there is scientific justification for a stronger measure or if a country decides it needs a higher level of protection than the standard provides in which case, a health measure must be based on a risk analysis 28

29 Justified measures an SPS measure must not discriminate arbitrarily or unjustifiably between countries where identical or similar conditions exist an SPS measure must not be more trade restrictive than necessary to achieve the importing country's desired level of protection taking into account technical and economic feasibility can t just ban imports, when there are other alternatives 29

30 Other provisions provisional measures when there is insufficient scientific evidence to complete a risk assessment equivalence disease/pest free areas Regionalisation/Compartmentalisation prior notification except in emergencies, countries are required to give at least 60 days notice of new regulations and to seek comments national notification and enquiry points 30

31 Why standards are necessary Enhance safety of international trade in animals and animal products Encourage harmonization of national legislations and control measures Narrow the gap between rich and poor countries Surveillance and control of animal diseases and zoonoses = International Public Good (IPG) IPG is a duty of governments International community, international organizations, donors and NGO influence and support Promote fairer trade (fewer unjustified restrictions on trade) Public Private sector contracts 31

32 Influences on standard setting From EXPORTING countries for less restrictions From IMPORTING countries for maximum protection (e.g Avian influenza) From producers / Consumers / NGOs The only basis acceptable to all is good science and a transparent and inclusive process of evaluation. 32

33 COMMITTEE, COMMISSIONS, DELEGATES PROBLEM Specialist Commissions Updating internation al standards Review Advice of experts or other Specialist Commissions DELEGATES Draft text 1 2 COMMITTEE OIE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD Adoption 33

34 The OIE Codes and Manuals Terrestrial Animal Health Code Aquatic Animal Health Code Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals 34

35 Purpose of the Codes? the Codes are not textbooks on terrestrial or aquatic animal diseases, nor on zoonoses they are reference manuals for international standards for safe trade in terrestrial and aquatic animals and their products recommend health measures to be used by veterinary services or other competent authorities to establish health regulations for the safe importation of animals and animal products while avoiding unjustified trade restrictions OIE has expanded into animal welfare and food safety 35

36 Principles in the Codes WTO obligations complied with if Codes used correctly importing country assumed to be free of a specific disease or with a control programme for that disease measures take into account assessment of risk factors in real world situation quality of veterinary services / competent authorities zoning and compartmentalisation disease surveillance and timely notification credible health certification for traded commodities 36

37 Terrestrial Animal Health Code 37

38 Approach in the Terrestrial Code Generic (horizontal) Chapters glossary obligations and ethics in international trade disease notification import risk analysis methodology evaluation of veterinary services import/export procedures general disease surveillance collection and processing of semen and embryos/ova food safety guidelines on animal welfare model veterinary certificates 38

39 Approach in the Terrestrial Code Disease specific Chapters, with Articles for live animals products of animal origin (meat, milk, hides/skins) collection and processing of semen and embryos/ova disease surveillance inactivation of pathogens and vectors In each Chapter, also Articles on description of pathogen / disease determining status of a country, zone or compartment safe commodities irrespective of status (if possible) recommendations for unsafe commodities 39

40 Safe commodities (BSE) When authorising import or transit of the following commodities, Veterinary Authorities should not require any BSE related conditions, regardless of the BSE status of the exporting country: milk and milk products semen and in vivo derived cattle embryos hides and skins gelatin and collagen prepared exclusively from hides and skins * protein-free tallow (...) and derivatives dicalcium phosphate (...) deboned skeletal muscle meat (excluding mechanically separated meat) * blood and blood by-products 40

41 Using the Codes and Manuals use the OIE Scientific and Technical Review and other sources to obtain background information use the Codes to establish health requirements for trade use the OIE Manuals to ensure the application of correct diagnostic tests and vaccines use textbooks on diseases to understand the scientific justification for OIE standards 41

42 Critical aspects do not use the Codes as textbooks on diseases use them as international standards to evaluate and determine measures to protect animal health in the trade of animals and animal products ensure that the application of the standards for national health measures are in accordance with obligations under the SPS Agreement 42

43 Critical aspects use the Guidelines for the Evaluation of Veterinary Services as an essential baseline use the Codes to establish baseline arguments to establish equivalence for trade negotiations use the Codes to establish cost-effective risk mitigation measures for trade use the Codes and Manuals to challenge scientific unjustifiable sanitary measures of trading partners 43

44 OIE Member reporting obligations Promote transparency in and knowledge of the global animal health situation OIE Members have international reporting obligations as laid down in the Codes to make available to other members, 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 44

45 OIE animal disease notification system Criteria for inclusion in the OIE list: International spread Significant spread within naive population Zoonotic potential Emerging diseases (new infection resulting from the evolution of an existing pathogen or parasite resulting in a change of host range, vector, pathogenicity or strain; or the occurrence of a previously unrecognized infection or disease) 45

46 Types of reporting Immediate notification of disease, infection or unusual epidemiological events Weekly reports: Follow-up to the immediate notification Final report: if the outbreaks have ended (event closed) -if the situation becomes endemic Six-monthly report Annual report 46

47 Active search of non-official information and rumours Scientific publications, Promed, GPHIN, Copernic, news, lay publications Published after verification and Member confirmation 47

48 Global Early Warning System (GLEWS) Joint OIE/FAO/WHO initiative Animal disease and zoonoses tracking Emergency response Trends analysis predictions Capacity building of Veterinary Services for surveillance and early warning and response (animal sector) List of priority animal diseases, zoonoses and emerging diseases 48

49 Responsibilities of exporting country should provide information on relevant regulations and official procedures should provide details of the country's ability to apply measures to control / prevent diseases should provide up to date and accurate information on the animal health situation, based on official surveillance systems should provide details of the Veterinary Services and the authority exercised 49

50 Reference Laboratories Collaborating Centres 50

51 Reference Laboratories 177 Reference Laboratories in 32 Countries covering 95 diseases or topics 154 experts 51

52 Reference Laboratories (cont.) Expert Centres for worldwide standardisation Store and distribute reference reagents Develop / conduct / validate diagnostic tests Coordinate technical and scientific studies Provide technical and scientific training Organise laboratory proficiency testing 52

53 Collaborating Centres 29 Collaborating Centres in 18 Countries covering 27 topics 53

54 Collaborating Centres (cont.) Expert Centres on horizontal subjects, for the OIE and Member Countries Assist in the elaboration of procedures to harmonise animal disease regulations / international standards Coordinate collaborative studies Provide technical training Organise and host scientific meetings for the OIE 54

55 World organisation for animal health Organisation mondiale de la santé animale 12 rue de prony Paris, France Tel: 33 (0) Fax: 33 (0)