Head, International Trade Department OIE PVS Tool: quality standards and evaluation of National Veterinary Services Dr Sarah Kahn Head, International Trade Department Beijing, China, 26 – 27 February 2008

Contents of this talk: Rationale for using the OIE PVS Tool Introduction of the OIE PVS Tool Steps in the process.

Why use the OIE-PVS Tool? Self evaluation performed by internal and/or OIE experts for the purpose of assessing the performance of VS …process reviewed on a regular basis to monitor improvements Countries are encouraged to use OIE-PVS tool in continuously monitoring the performance and improvement on veterinary services in partnership with private stakeholders.

Why use the OIE-PVS Tool? An evaluation relevant to bilateral negotiations between trading countries: … performed at the request of either country …best done by mutual agreement Trading partners are encouraged to use the OIE-PVS tool when establishing bilateral equivalence.

Benefits of the OIE-PVS Tool Major donors have accepted the use of the OIE PVS Tool and the criteria in the Code in the evaluation of performance and priorities of VS, as a prerequisite and a key guide in helping countries make requests for investment The impartial and independent evaluation of veterinary services by certified OIE assessors has gained the recognition of donors and international organisations as the official evaluation of veterinary services.

OUTPUT OF OIE-PVS Tool Gap identification and analysis: ..national use for self improvement and national budget applications; ..external use for financial support; ..use for credibility in international trade.

LEGAL BASIS (OIE Terrestrial Code) from Article 1.3.4.1. The purpose of evaluation may be to assist a national authority in the decision-making process regarding priorities for its own VS (self-evaluation) to assist the process of risk analysis in international trade … to which official sanitary and/or zoosanitary controls apply.

LEGAL BASIS (OIE Terrestrial Code) from Article 1.3.3.3. “Members should recognise the right of another Member to undertake, or request it to undertake, an evaluation of its VS where the initiating Member is an actual or prospective importer, and where the evaluation is to be a component of a risk analysis process which is to be used to determine sanitary measures to be applied to trade.”

OIE Tool for the Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services OIE PVS TOOL OIE Tool for the Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services Briefly explain OIE PVS Tool as follows: This tool covers all the topics relevant to official veterinary services, as defined in the Terrestrial Code. The evaluation is not an audit or inspection in the traditional sense, for example as employed by importing countries as a prerequisite to establishing trade conditions. Rather it allows for the visiting team and the host country to conduct a joint review taking account of the local situation and coherent with the goals and objectives of the host country. This is quite new and different from other evaluations and audits. The goal is to identify gaps in performance in relation to the OIE standards on quality and prioritise actions to improve performance in these areas. The PVS is an agreed international procedure that has been accepted by OIE Members. It embodies a positive approach, working in partnership with the host country so that there is ownership of the report by the country evaluated. It is systematically used on a voluntary basis and at the request of OIE Members.

4 fundamental components Critical competencies (6 - 12) OIE PVS TOOL PVS 4 fundamental components Critical competencies (6 - 12) 5 levels of advancement Introduce structure of OIE PVS Tool

OIE PVS TOOL 4 FUNDAMENTAL COMPONENTS Human, physical and financial resources Technical authority and capability Interaction with stakeholders Access to markets

OIE PVS TOOL 6 - 12 critical competencies in each fundamental component I) Human, physical and financial resources Professional and technical staffing Competencies of veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals Physical resources Funding ……

Level 5 full compliance with OIE standards OIE PVS TOOL 5 levels of advancement (qualitative) for each critical competency Level 1 no compliance Level 5 full compliance with OIE standards A higher level assumes compliance with all preceding levels

OIE PVS TOOL Critical competency II-4 Quarantine and border security Example Critical competency II-4 Quarantine and border security Definition: ‘The authority and capability of the VS to prevent the entry and spread of diseases and other hazards of animals and animal products’

OIE PVS TOOL Levels of advancement The VS cannot apply any type of quarantine or border security procedures for animal or animal products with their neighbouring countries or trading partners. The VS can establish and apply quarantine and border security procedures; however, these are generally based neither on international standards nor on a risk analysis.

OIE PVS TOOL Levels of advancement The VS can establish and apply quarantine and border security procedures based on international standards, but the procedures do not systematically address illegal activities relating to the import of animals and animal products. The VS can establish and apply quarantine and border security procedures which systematically address legal pathways and illegal activities.

OIE PVS TOOL Levels of advancement The VS work with their neighbouring countries and trading partners to establish, apply and audit quarantine and border security procedures which systematically address all risks identified.

OIE PVS APPROACH External independent evaluation Upon request of the country according to its context To assess Compliance with OIE Standards Strengths / Weaknesses Gaps / areas for improvement Not an audit Explain key aspects of the OIE PVS approach and steps in the OIE PVS evaluation in the following 3 slides.

OIE PVS APPROACH Experts trained and certified by the OIE Assessment based on facts & evidence, not impressions Donors have accepted the OIE PVS official procedure in the evaluation of the performance of VS A prerequisite and a guide in helping countries request national and/or international financial support.

STEPS IN THE OIE-PVS EVALUATION Official request from the OIE Delegate Propose names of experts and dates Evaluation (documents and mission) Draft Report Peer review Country agreement/comments Final report confidential until this stage …for release only if agreed PVS evaluation is organised by the OIE and conducted by the OIE Central Bureau working in collaboration with PVS experts. The logistical support of OIE regional and sub-regional offices is also necessary. The objective is to harmonize the approach, using peer reviewers, to all PVS reports, ensuring that the report prepared by the evaluation team meets the OIE standard for such reports and is consistent with the OIE framework. The peer reviewer is not requested to change the findings or conclusions of the report; rather, he/she is asked to ensure that the report is made in accordance with OIE procedures and is written in a clear, logical and coherent manner. The peer review is an important element in the transparency of the PVS procedures. Agreement on the final draft report is seek between team leader and peer reviewer.

Thank you for your attention Any questions? Thank you for your attention

12 rue de Prony, 75017 Paris, France - www.oie.int – oie@oie.int Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Animale World Organisation for Animal Health Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal 12 rue de Prony, 75017 Paris, France - www.oie.int – oie@oie.int