1. OIE Expertise Gastón Funes Head, Regional Activities Department
Training Seminar for OIE Delegates from Europe Lyons, 5-6 November 2009
Gastón Funes
Head, Regional Activities Department

2. Topics of the presentation
Specialist Commissions
Working Groups
Ad Hoc Groups
Reference Laboratories
Collaborating Centres
Laboratories Twinning procedure
OFFLU 2

3. OIE Specialist Commissions
The Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission ("Code Commission")
The Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases ("Scientific Commission") (“SCAD”)
The Biological Standards Commission
("Laboratories Commission")
Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission (“Aquatic Animals Commission”) 3

4. OIE Specialist Commissions
Members of the Commissions (from all OIE regions), are elected by the International Committee for a period of three years
Their role:
to use scientific information to study problems of prevention and control of animal diseases,
to develop and revise OIE's international standards,
to address scientific issues raised by OIE Members, 4

5. Code Commission (1/2) http://www.oie.int/tahsc/eng/en_tahsc.htm
ensures that the Terrestrial Code reflects current scientific information,
president, vice-president, general secretary + 3 members (experienced in regulatory veterinary science drawn),
meets several times yearly to address its work programme,
works with internationally renowned specialists to prepare draft texts for new articles of the Terrestrial Code and to revise existing articles, 5

6. Code Commission (2/2)
collaborates closely with the Aquatic Animal Commission on issues needing a harmonised approach,
supported by the Biological Standards Commission and the SCAD to ensure the Code Commission is utilising the latest scientific information in its work,
seeks the views of OIE Delegates through the circulation of draft and revised texts (which are adopted at each General Session as OIE standards), 6

7. Scientific Commission (SCAD) http://www.oie.int/scad/eng/en_scad.htm
President, vice-president, general secretary
+ 2 specialised members (world renowned scientist),
assists in identifying the most appropriate strategies and measures for disease prevention and control,
examines OIE Member applications regarding their animal health status for certain diseases (OIE official recognition for FMD, BSE, Rinerpest, CBPP),
provides up-to-date scientific information to the Director General and the other Specialist Commissions, in consultation with scientists, experts and Ad hoc Groups,
meets several times yearly, 7

8. Laboratories Commission
President, vice-president and 2 specialised
members,
establishes or approves methods for diagnosing diseases and for testing biological products, such as vaccines, used for control purposes and for international trade of terrestrial animals,
edits and oversees the production of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals (the" Manual"),
selects OIE Ref Labs for disease of terrestrial animals, and facilitates and works with the network of Ref Labs and Collaborating Centres to achieve OIE’s mandate,
promotes preparation and distribution of standard reagents for diagnostic testing, 8

9. Aquatic Animals Commission
President, vice-president, general secretary
+ 2 specialised members
compiles information on diseases of fish, molluscs and crustaceans,
analyses and establishes methods for controling aquactic animal diseases,
produces the Aquatic Code and the Aquatic Manual ,
organises scientific meetings on relevant topics for aquaculture,
works in collaboration with the Code Commission on issues needing a harmonised approach, 9

10. Topics of the presentation
Specialist Commissions
Working Groups
Ad Hoc Groups
Reference Laboratories
Collaborating Centres
Laboratories Twinning procedure
OFFLU 10

11. OIE Working Groups OIE permanent Working Groups are responsible for
reviewing developments in their fields, and for keeping OIE
Members informed of current issues through scientific
meetings or seminars,
Three Working Groups are currently operating:
Working Group on Wildlife diseases
Working Group on Animal Welfare
Working Group on Food Safety 11

12. OIE Working Groups
formed by decision of the Committee (recommendation by the DG) including a president, a rapporteur and a maximum of six members,
members nominated by the DG for 3 years (renewable),
established for an indefinite period in order to cover the technical or scientific topic specified at their establishment.
Role:
collect, analyse, disseminate and assess progress in knowledge within the sphere of their competence,
inform the DG of their results in order to resolve problems from OIE Members,
The Group may be asked to report to the Committee 12

13. OIE Working Group on Animal Welfare
Already developed standards on:
- land, sea and air transport,
- slaughter for human consumption,
- killing for disease control purpose,
At this time the Group is working on:
- the control of stray dog populations,
- laboratory animal welfare,
- animal welfare and livestock production systems,

14. OIE Working Group on Food Safety
Work programme taking account of food safety priorities and work of relevant international organisations (Codex)
Antimicrobial resistance,
Role and function of VS in food safety,
Food borne zoonoses,
Certification,
Biotechnology – animals and products,
Good Farming Practices,
(Guidelines in cooperation with FAO)
Animal feeding,
Animal identification
and traceability, 14

15. OIE Working Group on Wildlife diseases
informs and advises the OIE on all
health problems relating to wild
animals (in the wild or in captivity),
has prepared general recommendations
on the surveillance and control of the most important specific wildlife diseases,
oversees relevant scientific publications,
new approach, specific recommendations for relevant chapters of the Code,
lower level more specific 15

16. Topics of the presentation
Specialist Commissions
Working Groups
Ad Hoc Groups
Reference Laboratories
Collaborating Centres
Laboratories Twinning procedure
OFFLU 16

17. OIE Ad Hoc Groups
are convened as required by the Director General of the OIE to examine specific scientific and technical issues,
comprising leading specialists from OIE
Members,
their reports serve as guides for the Specialist Commissions and the International Committee in forming recommendations and making decisions,
Official disease status recognition (FMD, BSE, Rinderpest),
Evaluation of Veterinary Services,
Validation of diagnostic assays,
Traceability and animal identification,
Others… 17

18. Topics of the presentation
Specialist Commissions
Working Groups
Ad Hoc Groups
Reference Laboratories
Collaborating Centres
Laboratories Twinning procedure
OFFLU 18

19. OIE Reference Laboratories http://www. oie
designated to pursue all the scientific problems relating to specific named disease(s) on the OIE list, functioning as a centre of expertise, providing technical assistance on surveillance/control of such disease(s):
standardise the diagnostic techniques,
store and distribute to national labs, biological reference products / reagents,
develop new procedures for diagnosis / control of such disease(s),
gather, analyse and disseminate epizootiological relevant data,
place expert consultants at the disposal of the OIE,
provide training and diagnostic facilities to OIE Members,
inform the OIE Delegate and OIE HQs when confirming positive results for diseases that are notifiable to OIE,
organise scientific meetings on behalf of the Organisation,
coordinate scientific studies, and publish any information which may be useful to OIE Members, 19

20. 177 OIE Ref. Labs.,
32 Countries,
95 Diseases,
154 experts,
List of OIE Reference Laboratories:

21. Topics of the presentation
Specialist Commissions
Working Groups
Ad Hoc Groups
Reference Laboratories
Collaborating Centres
Laboratories Twinning procedure
OFFLU 21

22. OIE Collaborating Centres (CCs) http://www. oie
centres of expertise in a specific designated sphere of competence relating to general matters on animal health (epidemiology, risk analysis, training of official vets, etc.),
in its designated field of competence, they must provide their expertise internationally by:
operating as a centre of research, standardisation and dissemination of techniques for controling animal diseases,
placing expert consultants at the disposal of the OIE,
providing technical training to personnel from OIE Members,
organising scientific meetings on behalf of the OIE,
coordinating scientific and technical studies, and publishing any information in their competence which may be useful to OIE Members. 22

23. 29 Collaborating Centres,
18 Countries,
27 Topics,
29 experts,
List of OIE CCs:

24. OIE Ref Labs & CCs: Application Procedure
Delegate
APPLICATION*
OIE Director
General
OIE Administrative
Commission
*Specific Information required
CONSULTATION
ENDORSEMENT
For CCs
Reg Commission
Specialised Commission
(Labs., Aquat., SCAD)
International
Committee
APPROVAL
After approval:
Notification letter from the OIE DG to the Director of the CC.
Brief annual report of activities (distributed to all OIE Members).
Designation CC valid for four years, (OIE DG may propose renewal to the Committee). 24

25. Topics of the presentation
Specialist Commissions
Working Groups
Ad Hoc Groups
Reference Laboratories
Collaborating Centres
Laboratories Twinning procedure
OFFLU 25

26. OIE Laboratory Twinning Process26

27. Each Twinning Project..
Is a link between OIE Reference laboratory or Collaborating Centre (Parent) and national laboratory (Candidate).
Aims to improve expertise and diagnostic capacity with eventual aim of providing support within the region and reaching OIE standards.
Must be sustainable when twinning arrangement is terminated 27

28. Countries with six or more OIE Reference Laboratories
Country
Number of Reference Laboratories
Australia 8
Canada 15
France 16
Germany 12
Italy 9
Japan 13
South Africa 6
United Kingdom 30
United States of America 25 28

29. Extending the network of OIE capacity, expertise and standards through Twinning
To provide better global geographical coverage.
To provide regional support.
need for a new approach to international spread of diseases
Improved access for more countries to high quality diagnostics and expertise.
for negotiations, certifications, justification of standard setting
To provide better coverage in developing and transition countries.
+ 70% of the 172 OIE Members: developing/transitional countries 29

30. Expertise to allow members to
Readily apply guidelines and standards of OIE.
To develop science-based policies.
Debate OIE scientific justification for standards on an equal footing with other Members (better representation). 30

31. Twinning Guide and Project Template/Contract
Background
How to apply/proposal
Basic project management
Project plan (objectives, stages)
Regular monitoring
Facilitates efficient applications
Formalises agreement 31

32. Twinning process OIE REF. LAB APPLICANT LAB ID possible twinning: Labs
CVO
Reg. office
AGREEMENT
DISEASE/TOPIC
AGREEMENT
HEADS OF BOTH LABS
OFFICIAL DELEGATES
Disease/topic
Regional needs
Managing expert
Budget
Work plan
Communication
Milestones
PROJECT
PROPOSAL
BIOLOGICAL
STANDARDS
COMMISSION
OIE DG
S & T DEPT
DONOR FUNDING
EVALUATION BUDGET

33. Twinning: Role of players
OIE
Supports in coordinating the project
Funding – OIE WAHW Fund and donor countries
Facilitates negotiations
Finalises contract and budget
OIE Reference Laboratory (Parent laboratory)
Driving force
Expert from PL is driver/project leader
Implemenation/management of budget
Candidate laboratory
Fully committed
Agrees to go all the way with partnership
Not a disguise for obtaining funding 33

34. Twinning: Scope Realistic, achievable goals
Variability and flexibility
Objectives, subjects
Length of project (1-3 years)
Some Candidate Laboratories will reach OIE Reference Status 34

35. Twinning: Current Situation
There are currently 11 OIE laboratory twinning projects in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and in Latin America,
Most favoured diseases:
Avian Influenza,
NCD,
FMD,
Brucellosis 35

36. Topics of the presentation
Specialist Commissions
Working Groups
Ad Hoc Groups
Reference Laboratories
Collaborating Centres
Laboratories Twinning procedure
OFFLU 36

37. OFFLU is the joint OIE – FAO network of expertise for avian influenza37

38. OFFLU Objectives
To exchange scientific data and biological materials (including virus strains) within the network, and to share such information with the wider scientific community
To offer technical advice and veterinary expertise to OIE and FAO Members to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and control of avian influenza
To collaborate with the WHO influenza network on issues relating to the animal-human interface, including early preparation of human vaccine
To highlight avian influenza research needs, promote their development and ensure co-ordination. 38

39. The ANIMAL – HUMAN Interface
Agreed strategy from the outset:
“to tackle avian influenza at source” 39

40. OFFLU experts and technical activities
Steering Committee
Executive Committee
OFFLU experts and technical activities
Secretariat (OIE)
OFFLU scientists 40

42. OFFLU Scientists
To support and deliver activities of the OFFLU network through interaction with all partners.
Encourage sharing within animal health network and expand genomic databases
Evaluate and assess available tools and their ability to meet the requirements of OFFLU
Support to OFFLU technical groups - flexibility
Sequencing and bioinformatics
Liaison with human influenza networks 42

43. OFFLU Technical Activities
A group of scientists with relevant expertise:
To address specific issues or questions,
Activated when an issue or question arises (deactivated when the issue has been addressed),
Some involve experts from human health,
Improved functionality of OFFLU,
Through collaboration strengthens links between experts,
Need regional representation, 43

44. OFFLU Key Achievements 2008
OIE Resolution - Sharing of avian influenza viral material and information in support of global avian influenza prevention and control.
Ongoing advice to Indonesia on selection of avian influenza vaccine strains.
Practical guidance on minimum bio-safety requirements for handling avian influenza viruses.
8 technical activities identified and initiated.
Contribution to establishment of a Unified Nomenclature System for H5N1 influenza viruses based on HA gene phylogeny. 44

45. Thank you for your attention
…questions…?
Thank you for your attention
Organisation Mondiale de la Santé Animale
World Organisation for Animal Health
Organización Mundial de Sanidad Animal
12 rue de Prony, Paris, France - – 45