1. International Animal Welfare Standard Setting
5th Pan Commonwealth Veterinary Conference
Accra, Ghana March 2011
International Animal Welfare Standard Setting
Lea Knopf, Alex Thiermann & Mariela Varas
OIE Headquarters, Paris France

2. The ‘3 Sisters’ & the SPS Agreement
CODEX
food safety
OIE
animal health including zoonoses
IPPC
plant health
The agreement explicitly recognizes as the relevant international standards those developed by Codex for food safety, those of the OIE for animal health and zoonoses, and those of the FAO IPPC for plant protection.
Recent work by the OIE in cooperation with the Codex on food safety issues arising from diseases of animals may more clearly define the border between animal health and food safety concerns.
What this means, is that governments which essentially write the OIE recommendations into their national requirements for animal health benefit from a legal presumption that they are complying also with their WTO obligations. The OIE recommendations are considered to be based on a risk analysis and not more trade restrictive than necessary to ensure adequate animal health protection.
The OIE and other “sisters” are also consulted in the process of settling trade disputes at the WTO. In particular, they are asked for advice on internationally renowned experts in certain diseases or matters.
Standards, guidelines and recommendations specifically recognised in the SPS Agreement as the references for international trade

3. Differences: Standard setting for Animal Welfare
In 2002 Members approached OIE to come up with guidelines of Animal Welfare (AW) as a component of its existing mandate of standard setting in Animal Health under the SPS agreement
Standards on Animal Welfare are NOT linked to the SPS agreement of WTO
Rely on sole commitment of OIE Members
Democratically adopted by OIE Members
Veterinary Services are responsible for implementation
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4. Setting and updating international standards
Committee, Commissions, Delegates
Setting and updating international standards
Request
Ad hoc group of experts
Comments
Updated text Codes / Manuals
Draft text
Adopted
Specialist Commission
(meets twice a year)
General Session May
(meets in May each year)
OIE Members
Report & texts
OIE Members
for comments
text for adoption

5. OIE Specialist Commissions and Standards
Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission "Code Commission"
Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission "Aquatic Animals Commission"
Biological Standards Commission "Laboratories Commission"
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6. Use of OIE standards Private sector Veterinary services
In bilateral discussions between trading partners to establish international trade Measures
As domestic government policy
Private sector
As guidelines for private sector & company veterinarians

7. Evolution of the OIE animal welfare agenda
2000: Animal welfare recognised as a strategic priority in the 3rd OIE Strategic Plan ;
2002: Adoption by the World Assembly of OIE Delegates of a Resolution leading to the creation of a permanent Working Group (Animal Welfare WG)
2003: Adoption of the general principles
2004: First Global Conference on Animal Welfare, Paris 2004

8. Evolution of the OIE animal welfare agenda
2005: Adoption of the first Animal Welfare Standards:
Transport of animals by land
Transport of animals by sea
Transport of animals by air (refinement)
Slaughter of animals for human consumption
Killing of animals for disease control purposes
2008: 2nd OIE Global Conference on AW (Cairo, Egypt)
2009: Adoption of additional standards:
The control of stray dog populations
The welfare of farmed fish during transport

9. Evolution of the OIE animal welfare agenda
2009: First meetings of the ad hoc Groups on AW & livestock production systems (beef cattle and broiler chickens)
2010: Adoption of new standards:
Welfare aspects of stunning and killing of farmed fish for human consumption
Use of animals for research and education
2011: Adoption of OIE’s new Strategic Plan ( ):
Animal health is a key component of AW
OIE is recognised globally as the leader in setting international AW standards

10. Available standards on animal welfare Terrestrial Animal Health Code
Introduction to the recommendations for animal welfare
Transport of animals by land
Transport of animals by sea
Transport of animals by air
Slaughter of animals for human consumption
Killing of animals for disease control purposes
Control of stray dog populations.
Use of animals in research and education

11. Available standards on animal welfare Aquatic Animal Health Code
Introduction to recommendations for the welfare of farmed fish
Welfare of farmed fish during transport
Welfare aspects of stunning and killing of farmed fish for human consumption

12. Support to OIE Members
Strengthening of Good Governance of Veterinary Services:
Regular training of OIE Delegates
Establishment and repeated trainings of national Focal Points on Animal Welfare in each OIE Member country
OIE Collaborating Centres on AW
OIE twinning initiative => enhance technical capacity in the regions
Support for revisions of (AW) legislation

13. supporting the tasks of each OIE Delegate
OIE focal points –
supporting the tasks of each OIE Delegate
6 national specialist focal points:
aquatic animal diseases
wildlife
sanitary information systems
veterinary medicinal products
animal welfare
disease information
Unique global network receiving permanent capacity building input from the OIE
AW networks within country
Dialogue between authorities
Technical support to VS and OIE Delegate on AW

14. Outlook
Maintain and strengthen existing procedures for updating and creating international standards including broad consultation of industry, NGOs etc
Cross-referencing AW standards with disease-specific Chapters of teh Terrestrial Code (e.g. rabies, AHS)
Increase involvement of scientific community and understanding of regional issues through OIE Collaborating Centres on AW
Europe (Italy)
Asia Pacific (New Zealand/Australia)
Americas (Chile/Uruguay)
Plans of engagement in the OIE twinning to enhance AW expertise in other regions
Negociations between IATA and OIE (transport by air)

15. Future work and topics
Follow up the Recommendations of the 2nd OIE Global Conference on Animal Welfare, prepare the 3rd one!
Specific topics:
Chapter on Broilers chicken production system
Chapter on Beef Cattle production system
Future work on Dairy Cattle Production System
Welfare of Working Animals
Disaster Management (both, animal disease control and welfare)

16. 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 - –