Veterinary Legislation OIE support for Veterinary Legislation OIE Seminar: Good Governance for Veterinary Services Gaborone, Botswana 16 -18 January 2008 Gideon Brückner Deputy Director-General

Contents Linkage between OIE Code and National legislation Background Outline of the project on Model Legislative Framework for Veterinary Services State of play

The linkage between OIE Terrestrial Code and National Veterinary Legislation OIE Code has international legislative implication mandated in SPS Agreement – dispute settlement OIE Code provides minimum standards for the legislative base for national veterinary legislation National Acts provide the legislative and political mandate for the delivery of veterinary services National Acts provide the legislative base what should be done National Directives/Regulations provide the legislative base how it should be done National Acts and Regulations using OIE Code as reference point should be the ideal

Legislation and SPS Agreement Article 3: “To harmonize sanitary and phytosanitary measures on as wide a basis as possible, Members shall base their sanitary or phytosanitary measures on international standards..” Annex A (3b): “For animal health and zoonoses, the standards, guidelines and recommendations developed under the auspices of the International Office of Epizootics” Legislation = Legal mandate and support to apply sanitary measures

OIE Code and veterinary legislation (1.3.3) ‘The Veterinary Services must be able to demonstrate by means of appropriate legislation, sufficient financial resources and effective organisation that they are in a position to have control of the establishment and application of animal health measures, and of international veterinary certification activities. Legislation should be suitably flexible to allow for judgements of equivalence and efficient responses to changing situations. In particular, they should define and document the responsibilities and structure of the organisations in charge of the animal identification system, control of animal movements, animal disease control and reporting systems, epidemiological surveillance and communication of epidemiological information’.

OIE Code and veterinary legislation (1.3.3) Professional judgement Independence Impartiality Integrity Objectivity Procedures = Regulations/Directives ‘The Veterinary Services should develop and document appropriate procedures and standards for all providers of relevant activities’

Veterinary involvement/interventions that need legislative support Animal disease control (Terrestrial and Aquatic*) Meat hygiene & Veterinary public health * Veterinary medicines * Wildlife* Veterinary professionals and para-professionals * Veterinary education * Animal production * Germplasm * Animal identification *

Legislative implications in the OIE Codes and Manuals Suveillance Veterinary council Risk analysis Humane slaughter Defining concepts Disposal of dead animals Ethical considerations Transport of animals Disease control Inactivation of pathogens Criteria for disease listing Diagnostic procedures Certification procedures Animal welfare Antimicrobial usage Vaccine production Transport of specimens

Background of the project Development of the OIE PVS concept, including appropriate veterinary legislation Some countries asked for guidance to set up or to modernise veterinary legislation October 2007 letter of Director-General to ascertain interest of African countries OIE focal point : Dr Bastiaensen, assisted by: Dr Van Niekerk – Anglophone countries Dr Petitclerc – Francophone countries

Outline of the project Consultants will examine different models from several countries Recommendations from consultants will assist pilot countries wishing to set up / modernise national legislation Generic model legislation will be prepared for all OIE Members Recommendations will not be part of Terrestrial Code but will be on OIE website

Outline of the project Model legislation will be a useful reference point for quality of veterinary services Scope: Terrestrial Animals only All activities of VS described in Terrestrial Code Chapter 1.3.4.

Key elements General framework, veterinary infrastructures and prerogatives Animal Health Veterinary Public Health Animal Feeding Import/Export of animals and products Animal welfare Controls over para-veterinary activities

Special remarks OIE does not recommend a specific administrative model VS need a sound legislative basis Veterinary chain of command Decisions based on science and risk management principles Scientific process independent from political interference Veterinary training and professional education.

State of play Information was sent to 25 Francophone (F) and 21 Anglophone countries (A) 7 Countries will be visited Draft reports of the consultants will be discussed at the Regional Commission meeting May 2008.

Thank you for your attention

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