WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/500 
18 June 2004 
 (04-2664) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English/ 
 French/  Spanish 
 
   
LIST OF SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND TECHNICAL MEETINGS ORGANIZED BY 
THE WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR ANIM AL HEALTH (OIE) IN 2003 AND PLANNED 
FOR 2004 
 
Seminars and workshops in each region
 
  
 The following communication, dated 18 June 2004,  is being circulated at the request of the 
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).  
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 G/SPS/GEN/500 
Page 2 Title Purpose Date Participants a nd participating countries Location 
Meeting of the OIE Regional 
Representatives  To exchange opinions and information 
between the OIE Headquarters and Regional 
Representation on OIE processes and procedures to enhance participation by 
Member Countries in standard-setting 
activities.  12-14 January All OIE Regional Representatives 
(Africa, Asia and The Pacific,  
Eastern Europe, Middle East).  Paris 
(OIE 
Headquarters) 
AFRICA     
Meeting of the Veterinary Services 
of Mali, Mauritania and Senegal 
 To examine the epidemio logical situation of 
the three countries following confirmation of 
the presence of antibodies of rinderpest in the 
serum samples taken from wild boar slaughtered in Mauritania by the OIE 
Reference Laboratory, Pirbright, United 
Kingdom.  20-23 October 2003 The meeting was chaired by the Minister of 
Livestock of Senegal and attended by the national 
coordinators of the PACE
1 programme, 
representatives of the Veterinary Services and national laboratories of Mali, Mauritania and 
Senegal, the Regional Repr esentative for Africa, the 
Director of the Inter-Stat e School for Medical and 
Veterinary Sciences of Dakar (Senegal) and 
members of the Regional Coordination of the 
PACE programme in Bamako (Mali) and Nairobi (Kenya). Saint Louis 
(Senegal) 
OIE/AU-IBAR2 Seminar on the  
implementation of animal health 
standards: the quest for solutions in 
the Africa and Middle East Regions  
This seminar will be organised by the 
OIE Regional Commissions for Africa 
and the Middle East and the AU-
IBAR, with the collaboration of the FAO.  To discuss:  
- international standards for trade in 
animals and animal products and their 
impact on inter-regional trade;  
- new concept of 'export zones' for 
livestock trade; 
- controlling livestock movements to 
prevent the spread of transboundary 
animal diseases; 
- quality of inter-regional trade 
certification; 
- the role of para-professionals in supplying 
animal health services, in particular for 
surveillance and early warning; 11-13 October 2004 All Member Countries of the OIE Africa and 
Middle East Regions. 
Some international and regional organisations will 
also be present. Cairo (Egypt)  
  G/SPS/GEN/500
 Page 3Title Purpose Date Participants a nd participating countries Location 
 - strengthening regional coordination for 
accreditation of freedom from rinderpest 
and foot and mouth disease; 
- OIE standards on the quality and 
evaluation of Veterinary Services; 
- the possible involvement of NEPAD3 and 
AOAD4 in the field of animal health in the 
two regions; 
- implementation of the GF-TADs5 concept 
between the FAO and the Regional 
Representations of the OIE in Africa and the Middle East; 
- implementation of the Doha Declaration; 
- strengthening investment in disease 
control programmes.    
AMERICAS     
Training Course on Quality and 
Audit Systems for Manufacturers of 
Veterinary Medicines To discuss: 
- promoting technical updating of 
participants on HACCPP; 
- standardising criteria on  technical 
interpretation of the requirements of the 
international norms; 
- harmonising the appli cation of criteria for 
inspections; 
- reflecting on the impact of  inspections 
with regard to quality, safety and 
therapeutic efficiency of medicines. 10-21 March 2003 49 official and laboratory technicians from private 
industry, such as FILASA6, from 10 countries in 
the region:  
Belize, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, 
Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Buenos Aires 
(Argentina) 
9th Latin American Seminar on Standards Harmonisation and 
Control of Veterinary Medicinal 
Products   
Organised jointly CAPROVE
7. To continue harmonisation of registration and 
control of veterinary medicinal products 
through technical guidelines. 11-13 August  2003 158 participants from the official and private 
veterinary sectors and representatives from the 
Chambers of Veterinary Products, from 23 
countries in the region:  
Argentina, Brazil, Belize, Bolivia, Canada, 
Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, Dominican 
Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras , Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, 
Uruguay, USA, Venezuela. Belgium and France 
also participated in this seminar. Buenos Aires 
(Argentina)  
 G/SPS/GEN/500 
Page 4 Title Purpose Date Participants a nd participating countries Location 
Second Seminar on Avian Influenza 
and Newcastle Disease 
This meeting was organized jointly 
with the ALA8. To inform, clarify and promote actions to 
improve knowledge of Avian Influenza and 
Newcastle Disease in the countries of the Region.  13-15 August 2003 Official experts from: Bolivia and Cuba invited by 
the Regional Representative and the Avian 
Association Representatives from:  
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, 
Caribbean Islands, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay. Lima (Peru) 
FDA9/OIE workshop on “enhancing 
the participation an d effectiveness of 
Latin American countries in the Codex  Alimentarius Committee on 
residues of veterina ry drugs in foods 
and in the JECFA
10 Committee” To encourage participation and awareness of 
Latin American countries with regard to 
residues of veterinary medicinal products in foods. 15-17 August 2003 63 professionals from the official Veterinary 
Services and the private sector from 15 countries 
participated:  
Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, 
Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela. Buenos Aires 
(Argentina) 
The 2nd OIE/DILAVE11/IDB12 
training course on quality and audit 
systems for manufacturers of veterinary medicines  
 
 
In collaboration with DILAVE, the 
Directorate of Animal  Health Services 
of Uruguay and IDB.  To gain knowledge on the concepts and 
methodologies of Good Manufacturing 
Practices (GMP) for biologics, and include in the Web page of the OIE Regional 
Representation for the Americas-CAMEVET, 
a few types of exercise s or workshops that 
could serve to apply the concepts of GMP.  10-15 November 
2003 87 participants from 9 countries in the region:  
Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, 
Guatemala, Paraguay and Uruguay. Montevideo 
(Uruguay) 
10th Joint OIE/CAMEVET13 
Seminar on Harmonisation of 
Registration and Control of Veterinary Medicinal Products To continue harmonisation of registration and 
control of veterinary medicinal products 
through technical guidelines. 9-11 August 2004 Member Countries of the region and the private 
sector. Brasilia 
(Brazil) 
FDA/OIE workshop on  FDA Approach to the Human Food Safety 
Evaluation of Veterinary Drugs To review the FDA approach to the regulation 
of veterinary drugs residues present in human 
food.  To familiarise the participants with the interpretation and analysis of toxicological 
and residue data presented by pharmaceutical 
sponsors for the human food safety evaluation of veterinary drugs. 12-13 August 2004 Member Countries of the region. Brasilia 
(Brazil)  
  G/SPS/GEN/500
 Page 5Title Purpose Date Participants a nd participating countries Location 
Third Seminar on Avian Influenza 
and Newcastle Disease 
This meeting is being organized with 
the ALA.  To review country sanitary measures to 
prevent avian influenza and Newcastle 
disease. 24-25 August 2004 Member countries of the Americas' Region and 
private sector. San Pedro 
Sula 
(Honduras) 
EUROPE 
Training course on risk analysis for 
East European, Baltic and Balkan 
countries To discuss: 
- risk analysis in international trade of live 
animals and animal products; 
- epidemiological surveillance; 
- diagnostic tests. 18-24 January 2003 32 participants from 19 countries attended:  
 
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Kirghizistan, Latvia, 
Lithuania, Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia (FYROM), Mongolia, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia and Montenegro, 
Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Teramo 
(Italy) 
Seminar on the harmonisation of 
activities for national Veterinary Services and private veterinarians 
on the basis of the OIE Terrestrial 
Animal Health Code  To discuss: 
- the place and role of national Veterinary 
Services and private practitioners; 
- harmonisation activities between the 
national Veterinary Service and private 
veterinarians in line with the OIE Code; 
- the role of private veterinarians and para-
professionals in the provision of animal health services; 
- partnership of official and private 
veterinarians for surveillance and control 
of diseases; 
- the role of national veterinary 
organizations. 2-4 September 2003 61 participants from 22 countries attended:  
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, 
France, Georgia, Germany,  India, Italy, Latvia, 
Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Russian 
Federation, Slovakia, Taji kistan, Turkey, Ukraine, 
United Kingdom and Uzbekistan. Vilnius 
(Lithuania)  
 G/SPS/GEN/500 
Page 6 Title Purpose Date Participants a nd participating countries Location 
Seminar on education in veterinary 
medicine within the new context in 
East European countries, for Chief Veterinary Officers and Deans of 
veterinary medical faculties - to harmonise training of veterinary 
students in various universities of Europe 
by coordinating and adapting educational 
plans and programmes on fundamental 
and specialised disciplines; 
- to train veterinary students in the light of 
the new economic and political changes in 
Eastern Europe; 
- to cooperate in the field of training of 
veterinary professions. 3-4 November 2003 35 participants from 20 countries attended:  
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, France, Georgia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, 
Poland, Russian Federation, Serbia and 
Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Kiev 
(Ukraine) 
OIE Seminar on Food Safety, Health and Consumer Protection in Europe 
 To discuss various control and traceability 
aspects in food safety, health and consumer 
protection in Europe, involving the Commonwealth of Independent States, Balkan 
and Baltic countries. 19-23 June 2004 50-60 participants from 31 countries will be 
invited: 
 Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & 
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, 
Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, 
Macedonia, Moldavia, Ne therlands, Poland, 
Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and 
Uzbekistan. 
 
European Commission. Belgrade 
(Serbia and 
Montenegro) 
OIE Seminar on Environmental Protection in relation to Veterinary Service Activities 
 To discuss veterinary Services and 
environmental protection in the CIS, Balkan and Baltic countries. 1-5 September 2004 50-60 participants from 31 countries will be 
invited:  
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & 
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, 
Macedonia, Moldavia, Ne therlands, Poland, 
Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, 
Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and 
Uzbekistan.  Warsaw 
(Poland)  
  G/SPS/GEN/500
 Page 7Title Purpose Date Participants a nd participating countries Location 
MIDDLE EAST 
Workshop on Camel and Wildlife 
Diseases in the Middle East To discuss:  
- animal health and Veterinary Services 
status of the countries in the region; 
- control of camel diseases in the Middle 
East; 
- control of wildlife diseases; 
- - procedures and certif ication for trade in 
animals and animal products in the 
Greater Horn of A frica and the Middle 
East region. 3-5 March 2003 11 countries of the region participated: 
 
Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, UAE and Yemen. Sana'a 
(Yemen) 
Workshop on Veterinary 
Certification in the Middle East with Special Reference to the Somali 
Meat Industry 
This workshop was jointly organised 
with the FAO/UNDP
14/SBC (Somali 
Business Council). To discuss animal health and Veterinary 
Services status in the region with special attention to Somalia, and procedures of trade 
in meat and meat products. 
 29 April-1 May 2003 Chief veterinary officers from Middle East and 
Greater Horn of Africa countries and livestock 
trade agencies in the region : 
Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Somalia, 
Yemen, UAE FAO, OIE, UNDP, WHO, WB,  EU, REVC
15, 
SBC. Dubai (United 
Arab Emirates) 
Joint OIE/AU-IBAR/IRI16 
Workshop on the development of a 
model to forecast the potential of 
Rift Valley fever virus activity in the Middle East and Great Horn of 
Africa To define a suitable system, its parameters and 
end users useful for the prediction of RVF and 
other vector-borne diseases. 21-23 June 2003 All the countries of the Middle East and Greater 
Horn of Africa, as well as special institutions to 
model climate: 
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, 
Turkey, KSA, Yemen, UAE, Egypt, Sudan, 
Djibouti 
OIE, AU-IBAR, RSLTC
17, IRI DMCN18 Port Said 
(Egypt) 
FAO/OIE Second Round Table on FMD in the Near East and North 
Africa Region (NENA) 
This meeting was organized by 
FAO/NENA. To discuss the FMD project in the Middle 
East. 5-7 October 2003 Kuwait, KSA, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Tunisia, 
Jordan, Syria, Iran and Turkey. Cairo (Egypt)  
 G/SPS/GEN/500 
Page 8 Title Purpose Date Participants a nd participating countries Location 
OIE/AU-IBAR Seminar on the 
Implementation of animal health 
standards: the quest for solutions in the Africa and Middle East Regions  
This seminar will be organised by the 
OIE Regional Commissions for Africa and the Middle East and the AU-
IBAR, with the collaboration of the 
FAO.  As above. 11-13 October 2004 All Member Countries of the OIE Africa and 
Middle East Regions. 
Some international and regional organisations will 
also be present. Cairo (Egypt) 
Workshop on Food Safety 
Management Systems (HACCP and 
other tools) 
This workshop will be organized by 
OIE Regional Representation for the 
Middle East and WHO/MZCP.  To discuss strategy for Food Safety. October 2004 Mediterranean and Middle East countries . UAE 
ASIA 
OIE Workshop on Animal Health 
Information Technologies and Introduction of the Geographical 
Information System (GIS) 
 To discuss and provide updated information 
on technologies regarding Foot and Mouth Disease in South East Asia and to introduce 
GIS. 24-28 February 2003 30 participants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, 
Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as SEAFMD and the ILRI
19. Manila 
(Philippines) 
OIE/JLTA20 Workshop on 
Emerging Diseases and Zoonosis  
It was held in collaboration with the 
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and 
Fisheries, Japan.  To update information on emerging diseases 
and zoonoses. 19 June 2003 About 300 people participated in the Workshop: 
officers (the majority were veterinarians) of the 
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries including Animal Health Division, Animal 
Quarantine Services and National Veterinary Assay 
Laboratory, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, veterinary officers of 47 prefectural 
governments including Local Animal Hygiene 
Service Centres, researchers of  the National Institute of Animal Health and veterinarians or 
livestock people from public organisations in Japan 
and specialists from USA, OIE Regional Representation and Japan. Tokyo (Japan)  
  G/SPS/GEN/500
 Page 9Title Purpose Date Participants a nd participating countries Location 
3rd OIE/FAO-APHCA21 Regional 
Workshop on the WTO SPS 
Agreement   
This workshop was held in cooperation 
with the Department of Livestock 
Development, Thailand (DLD), Free University of Berlin, Germany, 
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 
Chiang Mai University, Thailand, and the Japan Livestock Technology 
Association). To train government officials, in particular at 
technical level in Asia and the Pacific Region, 
on the roles of the WTO/SPS Agreement, risk analysis on animal health and food safety, the 
OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code , the OIE 
Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals  and the Codex 
Alimentarius. 
 8-11 July 2003 37 participants: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, 
Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, 
Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. 
 
Speakers from Egypt, Germany and Switzerland, 
OIE Regional Representation and FAO-APHCA. Chiang Mai 
(Thailand) 
OIE/FAO-APHCA/DLD Regional 
Workshop on Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Diagnosis 
and Surveillance  
 To discuss BSE disease status world-wide, 
current science of BSE, laboratory diagnosis and surveillance, and provide a hands-on 
workshop for laboratory staff on BSE 
diagnosis and surveillance. 6-8 October 2003 11 participants from Hong Kong China, Indonesia, 
Korea (Republic of), Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taipei China, Thailand and 
Vietnam. 
6 speakers from Switzerland (University of Berne), 
OIE Regional Representation and FAO-APHCA. Bangkok 
(Thailand) 
OIE/FAO-APHCA/DLD Regional 
Workshop on BSE Risk Analysis  
This workshop was held for CVOs or 
their representatives of the Asian and 
Pacific Region, and organised by OIE, FAO-APHCA and DLD Thailand. 
 To provide updated  information and 
recommendations on risk analysis for the 
region and on the pathway for BSE country 
status recognition according to the OIE 
Terrestrial Animal Health Code  chapter on 
BSE. 9-11 October 2003 20 participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, 
Cambodia, China (People's Republic of), India, 
Indonesia, Korea (Republic  of), Laos, Malaysia, 
Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, 
Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam.   
7 Speakers from Switzerland (SAFOSO), Japan, 
OIE Regional Representation and FAO-APHCA. 
 Chiang Mai 
(Thailand) 
OIE/FAO-APHCA/DLD Consultation Meeting on BSE Public 
Awareness  To carry out BSE public awareness 
information for: 
- policy-makers; 
- technical personnel;  
- livestock producers; 
- the public. 13-14 October 2003 3 participants from selected countries including 
Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.  
5 Speakers from Switzerland (SAFOSO22), OIE 
Regional Representa tion and FAO-APHCA. 
 Chiang Mai 
(Thailand)  
 G/SPS/GEN/500 
Page 10 Title Purpose Date Participants a nd participating countries Location 
OIE-SEAFDEC23-NACA24 Hands-
on Training Workshop for 
Important Viral Diseases of Shrimps and Marine Fish  
This workshop was organised in 
collaboration with NACA.
 To discuss the importance of viral diseases of 
shrimp and marine fish and to provide the 
participants with hands- on training course on 
diagnosis of such diseases in the laboratory. 4-21 November 2003 Participants from 12 countries including Cambodia, 
People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Iran, 
Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and SEAFDEC. Iloilo  
(Philippines) 
FRA25/SEAFDEC/OIE/MAFF26 
International Symposium on Koi 
Herpesvirus Disease  (KHVD) To exchange the latest information on KHVD 
and discussion on the control of KHVD 
aiming for appropriate preventive measures 
against its spread. 
 13 March 2004 
 About 280 persons participated in the Symposium 
from 15 countries including Cambodia, China 
(People's Republic of), Indonesia, Israel, Japan, 
Korea (Republic of), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, U. 
S.A. and Vietnam. Yokohama 
(Japan) 
GF-TADs: Consultation on establishing a regional Support Unit and developing regional activities 
for South Asia To consult on the future GF-TADs 
programme and discuss the establishment of a Regional Support Unit in South Asia. 27- 30 April 2004 25 persons participated in the Consultation from 6 
countries including Bangladesh, 
Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan,  Sri-Lanka, and 
from SAARC
27, FAO and OIE Regional 
Representation, Tokyo as organizers. Kathmandu 
(Nepal) 
Educational Seminar for new CVOs in Asia 
 
This seminar was organised by  the 
OIE Regional Representation for Asia 
and the Pacific.  To communicate information on OIE 
missions and activities to new CVOs of Asia, 
the Far East and Oceania with a view to 
strengthening their knowledge for the OIE. 20 - 21 May 2004 Delegates of Brunei, Japan, Philippines, Sri Lanka 
and Chinese Taipei,and Tokyo as organizers. Paris 
(France) 
 
 
                                                      
1 PACE: Pan-African Programme for the Control of Epizootics  
2 AU-IBAR: African Union’s Interafr ican Bureau for Animal Resources 
3 NEPAD: The new partnership for Africa’s development 
4 AOAD: The Arab Organisation for Agricultural Development  
5 GF-TADs: Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (Programme global pour le contrôle prog ressif des maladies animals) 
6 FILASA: Federación  Latinoamericana de la  Industria para la  Salud  Animal 
7 CAPROVE: Cámara Argentina de la Industria de Productos Vete rinarios (the Chamber of Veterinary Products of Argentina) 
8 ALA: Asociación Latinoamericana de Avicultura  (Latin-American Association of Aviculture 
9 FDA : Food and Drug Administration (USA) 
10 JECFA: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 
11 DILAVE: The division of Veterinary Laboratories of Uruguay  
  G/SPS/GEN/500
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12 IDB: The inter-American Development Bank 
13 CAMVET: Committee of the Americas for Veterinary Medicines 
14 UNDP: United Nations Development Programme  
15 REVC: Regional Emergency Veterinary Committee 
16 IRI: International Research Institute for Climate Prediction 
17 RSLTC : Red Sea Livestock Trade Commission 
18 DMCN:  Drought Monitoring Climate Centre of Nairobi 
19 ILRI: International Livestock Research Institute 
20 JLTA: Japan Livestock Technology Association 
21 FAO-APHCA:FAO Regional Animal Production Health Commission Asia Pacific 
22 SAFOSO: Safe Food Solutions Inc. 
23 SEAFDEC: Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center 
24 NACA: Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific 
25 FRA: Fisheries Research Agency, Japan 
26 MAFF:  Ministry of Agriculture, Fore stry and Fisheries, Japan 
27 SAARC: South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation 
 
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