1. Zoning and Compartmentalisation
in animal disease control / trading purposes
Training Seminar for OIE Delegates from Europe Lyons, 5-6 November 2009
Dr Gastón Funes
Head Regional Activities Department

2. Evolution within the OIE
Historically, main efforts has been focused on country freedom
Zoning
Compartmentalisation is the new way forward
A matter for true partnership

3. Zoning / compartmentalisation
zoning/compartmentalisation (Z&C) are procedures which may be implemented by a country to define and manage animal subpopulations of distinct health status within its territory
in accordance with recommendations in the Codes
for purposes of national or regional disease control, and/or international trade

4. Zoning/compartmentalisation
zoning applies to an animal sub-population defined primarily on a geographical basis
compartmentalisation applies to an animal sub-population defined primarily by management and husbandry practices relating to biosecurity
in practice, spatial considerations and good management are important in the application of both concepts

5. OIE Code definitions Zone a clearly defined part of a country …
Compartment
one or more establishments under a common biosecurity management system …
... containing an animal subpopulation with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease [or diseases] for which required surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been applied for the purpose of international trade

6. Advantages of the concepts
Z&C allow a concentration of resources where there is a greater chance of success
in controlling or eradicating a disease
gaining or maintaining market access for certain commodities
where freedom of the whole country from the disease is not possible or practicable
implementation needs to have financial benefits
(cost / benefit analysis needed)

7. zones INFECTED ZONE FREE ZONE FREE ZONE major BUFFER road ZONE BUFFER
railway
river
FREE ZONE

10. Application of the concepts
Not all situations allow themselves the real application of zones or compartments
Effective implementation of zones and /or compartments will be influenced by technical issues:
- epidemiology of the disease(s) of concern
how spread, what species
- country factors
infrastructure, quality of vet services, public/private partnership
- environmental factors
natural barriers, temp/humidity, presence of vectors
- biosecurity measures which may be able to be applied
- the health status of animals in adjacent areas/countries

11. Implementation of zones / compartments
implementation needs to be addressed at several levels
infrastructure within which concepts may be effectively implemented (mainly for compartments)
public/private sector relationship → partnership essential for compartmentalisation
establishment and operation of individual zones and compartments
it is necessary to work from top down
if the higher level factors not addressed effectively, Z&C cannot be implemented

12. Implementation of Z&C concepts
the Veterinary Authority is responsible for the essential national infrastructure within which zones or compartments may be effectively implemented
needs to be in place prior to the establishment or definition of any zone or compartment
the Veterinary Services (VS) need to have the authority and capability regarding the establishment and management of zones and compartments
they have to be evaluated, at least with respect to their ability to oversee the establishment/management of zones / compartments (PVS)

13. Responsibilities of Veterinary Authority
Sound relationships should be developed between VS and private sector (production and non-production) where Z&C are to be applied
Effective systems in place should be ensured:
appropriate animal ID and traceability system (flock, lot or individual animal level)
appropriate national animal surveillance system
animal health certification system

14. Responsibilities of Veterinary Authority
To establish partnership with private sector (PS)
-“who makes (or is responsible of) what?”
To devise “general model” biosecurity plans with private sector, as “templates” for specific plans (CMPs)
To devise generic Zoning/Compartmentalisation criteria
To audit and monitor actions delegated to PS

15. Responsibilities of Private Sector managers
To develop effective partnerships with the VS (device and implementation of bio-security plan, by delegation from the VA)
To enhance awareness of owners and workers in production and non-production sectors of general bio-security principles
To report accurately and quickly to the VS on disease occurrence
To encourage biosecure management of all relevant premises (SOPs)
Re-inforce need for effective partnerships

16. Implementation of Compartmentalisation: “a matter for true partnership”
essential to develop effective partnerships between VS and managers in the animal production sector
and related sectors e.g. equipment supply and maintenance, feed production and supply, animal transport and waste management
VS need to have a good understanding of the structure and operations of the animal sector
formal agreement describing the partnership between the VS and the enterprise, and their responsibilities (“who makes/is responsible of what?”)
need a high level of mutual trust

17. Model biosecurity plan (BP)
need to address all generic factors:
assessment of the resources required and available (e.g financial, human and technical)
identification of the subpopulation and its distinct animal health status - through relevant management and animal health records
necessary surveillance, and procedures for the investigation and reporting of disease incidents

18. Model biosecurity plan (BP)
Definition of the CMP: components of the establishment(s) and other premises which would constitute a compartment,
Functional relationships of components of CMP:
common biosecurity management system under which these components operate using diagrams to show flowcharts, functional boundaries, etc
housing facilities, transport routes, feed distribution systems, work procedures, equipment maintenance
Establishment - premises where animals are kept

19. Model biosecurity plan (BP)
Standard operating procedures (SOPs),
for management and husbandry practices,
fully documented and registered,
audited (by VA) to ensure compliance with the BP,
personnel training
quality assurance schemes
animal movement controls
animal health & surveillance
human movement controls
controls over vehicles
security of feed and water sources and movement
management of environmental risks
security and soundness of buildings and equipment
These could be significantly expanded

20. Model biosecurity plan (BP)
Risks Assessment and Management
relevant epidemiological factors
potential pathways for entry and spread of the disease
relevant environmental factors (exposure to pathogen(s))
other associated risks
sanitary measures necessary to manage the risks relating a disease(s) in the subpopulation
Incl. epidemio-surveillance (inside and outside CMP)
how the risks would be regularly re-assessed and the SOPs adjusted accordingly

21. When building with compartmentalisation in mind!

23. Uses of Z&C in trade in disease control / eradication campaigns
progressive zoning/compartmentalisation allows stepwise approach
concentration of resources where greatest chance of success
in trade
to gain / maintain market access for certain commodities where whole country sourcing is not possible due to presence of disease(s) (or higher risks)

24. Trade negotiations Definition of Zones/Compts as per the OIE Code
Code Article establishes the « Principles for defining a zone or compartment, including containment zone »
Procedures relevant to the SPS Agreement: Code Article suggests "Sequence of steps to be taken in establishing a zone/compartment
and negotiating with trading partners for its recognition
The importing country should recognise the existence of this zone or compartment
subject to the application of the appropriate recommendations in the Code
or give scientific reasons for its non-recognition

25. Advantages of Z&C
There is trade, even when the country or region is not free from specific disease(s)
Guarantees the safety of the zone/compartment, even when the threats come from wildlife
The resources to conduct the operation can come from various sources, even the beneficiaries
Sharing of responsibilities: the beneficiaries are responsible for ensuring the biosecurity, with the auditing by government

26. For compartmentalisation to work!
Compartmentalisation biosecurity plan has to be clear and credible
Should have a good communication strategy to explain and market overall plan
Should be discussed and agreed by importing partners during ‘peace time’

27. New OIE Checklist
Checklist on the practical application of compartmentalisation for avian influenza and Newcastle disease distributed at the 2007 General Session
not an OIE standard
provides help to members wishing to implement compartmentalisation

28. Ongoing work 3 OIE main texts for assistance of Members:
OIE Terrestrial Code Article (SPS related matters) suggests sequence of steps to be taken in defining a zone/compartment, and negotiating with trading partners for its recognition;
General guidelines on compartmentalisation were adopted in the last General Session and included in the OIE Terrestrial Code Chapter 4.4. on “Application of compartmentalisation”;
Checklist on the practical application of compartmentalisation for AI & ND;

29. Implementation of Compartmentalisation in Europe Recoms
Implementation of Compartmentalisation in Europe Recoms. 23rd Regional Conference Vilnius, Lithuania
Early stages of implementation,
Discussions between VA and PS,
Mainly in poultry and pig productions,
Concerns regarding trade issues,
Lack of official recognition: commitment from European Countries to encourage mutual recognition
Need of assistance from OIE:
Practical implementation,
Continuing development of standards,
Pilot projects (experience),
Strengthening of VS,

30. 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 - –