Access to regional and global markets for all: Dr Bernard Vallat, Director General Access to regional and global markets for all: a new priority for the OIE OIE seminar on Good Governance for Veterinary Service Gaborone - Botswana 2008 Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) :
SOME KEY FACTS Established in 1924: 172 Members Intergovernmental organisation – predates the UN Permanent Regional Representations: Bamako (Mali), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Tokyo (Japan), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Beirut (Lebanon) Sub-regional Offices: Bangkok (Thailand), Gaborone (Botswana), Panama, Brussels (Belgium) Regional Commissions: Africa, America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Middle East 50 13 Briefly introduce the OIE. Number of countries is growing all the time. All OIE international standards are adopted by consensus of its Members. 2/3 of the Member Countries and Territories are developing countries. They need support to comply with international standards, achieve food security and economic growth, and participate in international trade. Geographic balance is important throughout the OIE procedures. 29 52 28
‘The improvement of animal health all around the world’ OIE MANDATE Historical: ‘To prevent animal diseases from spreading around the world’ The 4th Strategic Plan 2006/2010 extends the OIE’s global mandate to: ‘The improvement of animal health all around the world’ This new broader OIE mandate can only be achieved with Good Governance of the Veterinary Services worldwide.
to collect, analyse and disseminate scientific veterinary information OIE OBJECTIVES ANIMAL HEALTH INFORMATION to ensure transparency in the global animal disease and zoonosis situation to collect, analyse and disseminate scientific veterinary information [source : www.oie.int] Objective 1 : Ensure transparency in the global animal disease situation “Each Member undertakes to report the listed animal diseases in its territory. The OIE disseminates the information to other countries, which can take the necessary preventive action. This information includes diseases transmissible to humans (zoonoses) and the results of intentional introduction of pathogens. Information is sent out immediately or periodically as defined by the OIE. Dissemination is via the OIE Web site, e-mail (on a permanent basis) and the following periodicals: Disease Information, published weekly and the annual “World Animal Health”. Collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary scientific information The OIE collects and analyses the latest scientific information on animal disease control. This information is then made available to the Members to help them to improve the methods used to control and eradicate these diseases. Guidelines are prepared by the network of about 200 OIE Collaborating Centres and Reference Laboratories across the world. Scientific information is also disseminated through various works and periodicals published by the OIE, notably the Scientific and Technical Review (3 issues a year).
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OIE OBJECTIVES INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS to promulgate health standards for the safety of international trade in animals and animal products and animal disease surveillance (within its WTO mandate) to contribute to food safety and food security and to promote animal welfare, through a science-based approach [source : www.oie.int] Objective 2 : Sanitary safety Safeguard world trade by publishing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products The OIE develops normative documents relating to rules that Members can use to protect themselves from the introduction of diseases and pathogens, without setting up unjustified sanitary barriers. The main normative works produced by the OIE are: the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals, the Aquatic Animal Health Code and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals. OIE standards are recognised by the World Trade Organization as referenced in the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS agreement). They are prepared by internationally renowned scientists, most of whom are experts within the network of about 200 Collaborating Centres and Reference Laboratories. These standards are presented by elected specialist commissions and adopted by the International Committee.
PVS concept is closely linked with the objectives OIE OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES OF VETERINARY SERVICES to provide expertise and encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases to improve the legal framework and resources of national Veterinary Services [source : www.oie.int] Objective 3 : To provide expertise and encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases “The OIE provides technical support to Members requesting assistance with animal disease control and eradication operations, including diseases transmissible to humans. The OIE notably offers expertise to the poorest countries to help them control animal diseases that cause livestock losses, present a risk to public health and threaten other Members. The OIE has a permanent contact to international regional and national financial organizations in order to encourage them to invest in the improvement of control of animal diseases and zoonosis.” If appropriate, mention; Veterinary Services are a Global Public Good with beneficial effects for: Poverty Alleviation Securing assets (capital, animal) Increasing productivity Market Access: local, regional and international Public Health: food safety and food security PVS concept is closely linked with the objectives
OIE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS Official references of the World Trade Organisation (SPS Agreement) Adopted by consensus of OIE Members Terrestrial & Aquatic Animal Health Code Containing disease standards Terrestrial & Aquatic Manual Containing techniques for diagnostis and quality requirements for vaccines Available at http://www.oie.int/ Details of these chapters will appear later.
STANDARD SETTING PROCEDURE PROBLEM Specialist Commissions Review Advice of experts or other Specialist Commissions Draft text COMMITTEE Delegates Adoption COMMITTEE, COMMISSIONS, DELEGATES 1 2 Comments OIE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
Prepared on the basis of a meticulous risk analysis. OIE standards Prepared on the basis of a meticulous risk analysis. Importing countries need to reduce the use of arbitrary risk analysis methods, and adopt OIE standards systematically No ZERO RISK The Code already contains recommendations on commodities that are safe to trade. 9
How to improve the OIE standards? More structured and logical presentation : Live animals Specific animal products Sufficiently detailed information on products that have been processed to render them safe: regardless of the country’s animal health status Taking into account best practice in: Industrial and food technologies Advances in understanding of pathogen behaviour and inactivation. 10
OIE will advocate for: A change of attitude that results in import bans on countries that meet their OIE obligations by reporting diseases Such approach is acceptable as an interim measure, while awaiting precise information Bans should be replaced by protection measures based on OIE standards and recommendation on each commodities as quickly as possible. 11
The development of new research programmes on important trade issues. OIE will advocate for: The development of new research programmes on important trade issues. eg. better knowledge of the conditions under which FMD virus survives or not during meat maturation However, it is important not to adopt an approach based solely on pathogen inactivation, which could lead to relaxing efforts to prevent and control animal diseases based on surveillance 12
Importance of OIE policies Positive impact on poverty reduction and public health Justification for improving financing of VS to maintain surveillance networks and rapid response teams To deal with animal health threats as they emerge and/or are recognised 13
OIE standards on the quality of VS Compliance with OIE standards is a prerequisite to effective surveillance reliable and credible certification Allowing countries to gain access to regional and global markets without posing a risk to animal health and public health. 14
Good Governance of Veterinary Services Requirements for all countries Need for appropriate legislation and implementation through national animal health systems providing for: Early detection, Transparency, Notification Rapid response to animal disease outbreaks Biosecurity Compensation Vaccination when appropriate
Good Governance of Veterinary Services Building and maintaining efficient epidemiosurveillance networks and territorial meshing in the entire national territory, potentially for all animal diseases... a responsibility of Governments Concept of ‘Quality of Services’ adopted by all OIE Members
Global Public Good Global public goods are goods whose benefits extend to all countries, people and generations.
Global Public Good In the case of eradication of infectious diseases, the benefits are international and intergenerational in scope. Countries depend on each other Inadequate action by a single country can jeopardize others Failure of one country may endanger the planet.
Activities of Veterinary Services Veterinary Services are a Global Public Good with beneficial effects for: Poverty Alleviation Securing assets (capital, animal) Increasing productivity Market Access: local, regional and international Public Health: food safety and food security
Thank you for your attention
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