73rd General Session of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) OIE Regional Commission for the Americas Paris, May 24th, 2005 Ad Hoc Working Group on Regional Implementation of OIE Aquatic Animal Health Standards Implementation Proposal Dr. Sharon McGladdery Fisheries & Oceans Canada

Presentation Outline History and Rationale for the Regional Commission ad hoc Americas Aquatic Animal Health Working Group Objectives Reporting Mechanisms Proposed Structure First Meeting Options – agenda, venue, membership suggestions

History of ad hoc Working Group Proposal November 2004, Regional Commission of the Americas (RCA) meeting, Panama City DG OIE noted need for greater Member Country attention to Aquatic Animal Health Standards Canada proposed an ad hoc working group on implementation of the standards set by the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission (AAC) Jan. 2005 Canada submitted draft TOR to RCA RR Draft proposal presented to President AAC & approved Draft sent to RCA Member Countries for comment Feedback positive. March 2005 Invitation to present implementation proposal to RCA at the OIE 73rd General Session.

Why an ad hoc Americas Aquatic Animal Health Working Group? The Americas have established aquatic animal trade worth billions of $$s – including both wild and farmed seafood; Many countries share coastal waters, as well as freshwater bodies (e.g., the Great Lakes), that require coordinated trans-boundary aquatic animal health management to be effective; and The timing coincides with increasing efforts by many countries of the Americas to develop/revise current aquatic animal health programs to better meet OIE AAC standards – regulatory, infrastructure and expertise.

… why now? OIE standards for aquatic animal health are undergoing significant changes as they move toward greater consistency with terrestrial animal standards and update scientific knowledge; Global aquaculture and seafood production continues to grow in value, volume, and diversity – enhanced transportation is opening more international markets to live and fresh product. Countries of the Americas account for over 20% of fisheries-based import and export economic value (est. 2001/02); and Proactive harmonization of programs to meet OIE-AAC standards could help prevent costly trade challenges due to inconsistent protocols or differing interpretations of the standards.

Overall Objectives Harmonized regional implementation of AAHSC standards: - co-reporting on diseases of stocks that straddle borders; - collaborative definition of zones where targeted surveillance requires cross-border activity; and - technical training exchanges using endemic disease expertise and/or OIE reference laboratories. Identify technical problems related to regional implementation of OIE standards, e.g., - surveillance for carrier/reservoir status of sympatric species; - application of diagnostic manual methods in new environments/species; or - risks identified that are not currently covered by OIE standards. Focus OIE RCA member country comments to the OIE AAC on technical problems that impact implementation of standards.

Proposed Reporting Mechanism Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission Clarifications, recommendations, advice OIE Central Bureau RCA Regional Representative c.c. CVO’s of RCA Member Countries AAH WG Reports Technical implementation questions

Proposed Structure: Steering Committee – RR, 4 representatives from National Veterinary Authority; 4 representatives from industry; plus WG coordinator/chair. WG members - Any country with aquatic animal trade activities within the Region; - Technical expertise in relevant aquatic animal group (molluscs. finfish or crustaceans) health - Veterinary Authority officials with interest in establishing/ managing aquatic animal health for their country (certification; surveillance; zonation)*. * Note: Participation by officials or their scientific representatives is welcome, since many countries have limited/no aquatic animal health programs in place to date.

Meeting Organization & Options Note: Logistics for consideration of meeting options: (i) cost of attending meetings borne by participating country (ii) cost of organizing & hosting meeting borne by host country (iii) any contributions made by industry or govt’s for WG activities to be managed through OIE Central Bureau. 1st step Canada to arrange a conference call in early-mid June with people nominated as experts/observers by the close of the 73rd OIE General Assembly 2nd step Canada to assist arrangement of the 1st WG Meeting - Location and Type: e.g., southern USA or Central/South American country… or another conference call

First Meeting – Draft Agenda To follow set-up conference call: Elect the WG Coordinator; Review and revise draft Terms of Reference: Objectives; and Membership Structure; Define Member Country participants based on country requirements and reporting responsibilities; and Review OIE AAC revisions to Aquatic Animal disease list presented at the 73rd OIE General Session* and assess implications (if any) for regional implementation of standards. *Note: proposed disease-list changes and assessments for new diseases or delisting can be submitted to AAC by member countries before August 2005

Contact Information Sharon McGladdery Fisheries & Oceans Canada 200 Kent St (12W114) OTTAWA, Ontario, K1A 0E6 T: 613-991-6855 F: 613-993-7665 E: mcgladderys@dfo-mpo.gc.ca