G/SPS/GEN/2032  
 
3 June 2022 
(22-4237) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English/French/Spanish  
 
  
83RD MEETING OF THE SPS COMMITTEE  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE WORLD ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE)  
The following communication, received on 1st June 2022, is being circulated at the request of the 
OIE. 
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The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is pleased to provide this report for the information 
of WTO Members attending the 83rd meeting of the SPS Committee.  
1  89TH GENERAL SESSION  
1.1.  The 89th Annual General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates was held in a semi -hybrid 
format from Monday 23 to Thursday 26 May 2022. The semi -hybrid format allowed the main 
speakers and some members holding elected positions to participate in -person at  the event venue 
in Paris while all other members and partners attended remotely.  
1.2.  The General Session included the adoption of administrative and technical resolutions. A total 
of 151 OIE Delegates participated in the General Session.  
1.3.  OIE National Delegate s adopted 29 Resolutions. The Report of the 8 9th General Session  and 
adopted Resolutions  are available on the OIE website.  
1.1  Standard setting activities at the 89th General Session  
1.4.  The OIE World Assembly of Delegates adopted updated texts in the OIE International 
standards: the Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (Terrestrial Code ), the Aquatic Animal Health Code  
(Aquatic Code ), the Manual of Diagnos tic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals  (Terrestrial 
Manual ), and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals ( Aquatic Manual ). 
1.5.  Information regarding all new and revised text adopted in the OIE International standards are 
available in the rep ort of the 89th General Session . 
1.6.  More details about new and revised texts in the OIE International standards of interest to the 
SPS Committee are noted below:  
1.1.1   Terrestrial Animal Health Code  
1.7.  Eleven  revised chapters, three revised glossary definitions and 1 new glossary definition were 
adopted in the Terrestrial Code . 
− Rinderpest. The deadliest cattle disease in history, was officially  declared eradicated from 
the world in 2011. Chapter 8.16. Infection with rinderpest virus remained in the Terrestrial 
Code to address the risk of re -emergence. A thoroughly revised version was adopted to 
improve surveillance, notification, and control pro visions, and to revise the structure of the 
chapter and trade provisions to ensure the maintenance of global freedom and its prompt 
recovery in the case of re -emergence ; G/SPS/GEN/2032  
 
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  − Theileriosis. A revised Chapter 11.10. Theileriosis was adopted. The chapter was 
compr ehensively revised and the revision included an amendment to the title to 'Infection 
with Theileria annulata , T. orientalis  and T. parva '. The name of the disease listed in Chapter 
1.3. Diseases, infections and infestations listed by the OIE was also amended to align with 
this name change ; 
− Echinococcosis and Porcine cysticercosis. Chapter 8.5. Infection with 
Echinococcus  granulosus  and Chapter 15.4. Infection with Taenia solium  (Porcine 
cysticercosis) were amended to include new developments in the are a of vaccine production 
and vaccination ; 
− Zoonoses transmissible from non -human primates. Chapter 6.12. Zoonoses transmissible 
from non -human primates was revised to clarify that hepatitis B is a disease of humans and 
is not a zoonotic disease ; 
− Stray dog po pulation control. Chapter 7.7. Stray dog population control was revised to 
ensure its alignment with the Global Strategic Framework for the elimination of 
dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. Amendments adopted included the revision of the 
scope of the chapt er and a focus on the welfare of dogs when implementing dog population 
management programmes. As a consequence the title of the chapter was changed to 'Dog 
population management '. A new Glossary definition for 'Free-roaming dog ' which replaced 
'Stray dog ' was also adopted.  
1.8.  The online version of the 30th edition (2022) of the Terrestrial Code  will soon be available and 
can be accessed from the OIE pu blic website.  
2  MANUAL OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND VACCINES FOR TERRESTRIAL ANIMALS  
2.1.  Two new chapters, 17 revised chapters, and two new glossary definitions were adopted.  
− A new chapter on Mammalian tuberculosis  (infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis  
complex) was updated to provide diagnostic techniques for this newly listed disease. The 
chapter replaces the chapter on bovine tuberculosis ; 
− A new chapter, Theileriosis  in sheep and goats (infection with Theileria lestoquardi , 
T. luwenshuni  and T. uilenbergi ) was adopted ; 
− Chapter 3.1.4 Brucellosis  (infection with Brucella abortus , B. melitensis , B. suis ) was revised 
to update the description  of the disease and added some information on the disease in 
camels and wildlife species ; 
− Chapter 3.3.14. Nipah and Hendra  virus diseases was extensively revised to include 
statements on the zoonotic potential of these viruses and the subsequent need to undertake 
a biological risk assessment, which may lead to a decision to avoid serological tests using 
live virus; updated th e tests included in Table 1, Test methods available for the diagnosis of 
henipaviruses and their purpose and their scores; inserted protocols for indirect and blocking 
ELISAs ; 
− Chapter 3.1.22. Tularemia  was revised to include information on how the disease spreads 
and how humans can acquire it. Table 1 was updated to include conventional PCR and 
clarified that serology is of limited use ; 
− Chapter 3.2.1. Acarapisosis  of honey bees  (infestation of honey bees with Acarapis woodi ) 
(extensive) was thoroughly revis ed with the addition of new diagrams, a revised Table 1 
Test methods available and their purpose and a new section on PCR, both conventional and 
real-time; 
− Chapter 3.3.15. Turkey rhinotracheitis  (avian metapneumovirus) was updated virus 
taxonomy, strain cl assification and host range; clarified that avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) 
does not cause infection in humans; added Table 1 Test methods available and their purpose; 
and updated and reformatted the section on requirements for vaccines ; 
− Chapter 3.6.2. Contag ious equine metritis  was revised to include two real -time PCR methods 
and noted that other PCRs can only be used if they have been validated to OIE Standards as 
fit for use for defined purposes ; 
− Chapter 3.8.11. Scrapie  was revised to clarify the informatio n on classical and atypical 
scrapie, that histological examination should  not be used as a primary screening or 
confirmatory test, changed the title of the section on Strain characterisation to 
Discrimination between classical scrapie and BSE as the chapte r does not describe strain 
characterisation ; 
− Chapter 3.10.7. Salmonellosis  was revised including the sections on the nature and 
classification of the pathogen, the description and impact of the disease, and its zoonotic G/SPS/GEN/2032  
 
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  potential and biosafety and biosecur ity requirements. Revised the example test procedures 
for isolation of Salmonella from food, feedstuffs, faecal and environmental samples and on 
immunological and nucleic acid recognition methods. Stressed that attenuation of live 
vaccines is essential to limit intestinal replication and persistence in the animals and 
environment, but such attenuation is unlikely to have no impact on the vaccinal response.  
2.2.  The online versions of these new and revised chapters will be available shortly in the Terrestrial 
Manual  and can be accessed from the OIE publ ic website.  
2.1.1   Aquatic Animal Health Code  
2.3.  One new and 30 revised chapters in the Aquatic Code  were adopted.  
− Infection with tilapia lake virus  was adopted as a listed disease of fish in Chapter 3.2. which 
will support transparent and timely notification of dis ease and support members in 
preventing transboundary spread ; 
− A significantly revised Chapter 1.4. Aquatic Animal Health Surveillance  and model articles 
for declaration of freedom for each disease -specific chapter were adopted to provide 
guidance on self -declaration of freedom including the types of evidence and the periods of 
surveillance needed ; 
− Model articles for safe commodities  in Articles 9.X.3 and Article 10.X.3. were adopted for the 
crustacean and fish disease -specific chapters, respectively to specify the minimum 
time/temperature treatments required to inactivate the specific pathogenic agent rather 
than the previous commodity b ased approach ; 
− A new chapter for infection with decapod iridescent virus 1  was adopted ; 
− The list of susceptible species  in the disease -specific chapters on infection with epizootic 
haematopoietic necrosis virus, infection with koi herpes virus, infection w ith abalone herpes 
virus and infection with Bonamia exitiosa  were amended after consideration of the work of 
the ad hoc Groups on Susceptibility  of fish and molluscs species to infection with OIE listed 
diseases.  
2.1.2   Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Anim als 
2.4.  Five revised chapters of the Aquatic Manual  were adopted.  
− Chapters on infection with HPR -deleted or HPRO infectious salmon anaemia and infection 
with koi herpes virus were revised using the new disease -chapter template ; 
− The list of susceptible species  in the disease -specific chapters on infection with epizootic 
haematopoietic necrosis virus, infection with koi herpes virus, infection with abalone herpes 
virus and infection with Bonamia exitiosa  were amended after consideration of the work of 
the ad hoc Groups on Susceptibility of fish and molluscs species to infection with OIE listed 
diseases  
2.5.  The online version of the 24th edition (2022) of the Aquatic Code  will soon be available and can 
be accessed from the OIE public website.  
3  OFFICIAL OIE RECOGNITION OF ANIMAL HEALTH STATUS AND CONTROL PROGRAMMES 
OF MEMBERS  
3.1.  OIE member s can apply to be included in the list of countries with an officially recognised status 
for the following six priority diseases: bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), foot and mouth 
disease (FMD), contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), African horse sickness, peste des petits 
ruminants (PPR) and classical swine fever (CSF).  
3.2.  At the 89th General Session, several countries or zones of countries obtained official recognition 
of their status:  
− Ecuador and Mongolia were officially recognised as being 'free from CBPP '; 
− Bahrain was officially recognised as being 'free from AHS '; 
− France was officially recognised as having a 'negligible BSE risk ' and Russia as having a 
'controlled BSE risk '; G/SPS/GEN/2032  
 
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  − One zone in Russia was officially recognised as 'free from FMD with vaccination '. 
3.3.  The full list of countries and their recogn ised status for AHS, BSE, CBPP, CSF, FMD, and PPR 
can be accessed online  the OIE public website.  
4  TECHNICAL ITEM  
4.1.  The Technical Item for the 89th General Session was 'World Organisation for Anim al Health, 
Veterinary Services and Aquatic Animal Health Services engagement in global, regional and national 
Emergency Management Systems '. 
4.2.  The Technical Item described the current global context and systems for emergency 
management by identifying and cha racterising threats as well as planning approaches and tools. The 
paper introduced the emergency management disciplines as well as the OIE 's expanding 
programmes and services to members to develop emergency management capacities to shape 
future directions.  It highlighted the central role that Veterinary Services play in managing 
emergencies, particularly in relation to animal health and veterinary public health, and also in 
response to broader disasters which have cascading impacts. Whilst explaining some o f the gaps at 
international level and the resource challenges faced by OIE member s, it highlighted the cost -benefit 
of investing in emergency management systems.  
4.3.  Resolution No. 28 'World Organisation for Animal Health, Veterinary Services and Aquatic 
Anima l Health Services engagement in global, regional and national emergency management 
systems ' was adopted during the General Session. Broadly speaking it recommends continued 
international collaboration with key partners; adopting an all hazards approach to emergency 
management, whilst considering emerging hazards; taking a whole of society approach to 
emergency management; further developing and supporting the OIE 's emergency management 
work programme and service offerings to members ; collecting information to understand emergency 
management capacity of OIE member s; developing an OIE Incident Management System (IMS) and 
supporting members in developing their own IMS; engaging in active discussion with WHO and 
members to ensure that the process for developing global agreement on a pandemic instrument 
takes a One Health approach and meets the needs of OIE stakeholders; using risk analysis to 
prioritise in emergency management planning; working to ensure Veterinary Services and Aquatic 
Animal Health Services are engaged in national emergency management systems.  
5  GLOBAL ANIMAL HEALTH SITUATION  
5.1.  The 'Current animal health situation worldwide: analysis of events and trends ' was presented 
to the World Assem bly during the General Session and focused on four areas. The first section 
focused on members' reporting behaviour and historical trends between 2005 and May 2022. 
The second section presented the global situation of African swine fever virus infection, H PAI virus 
infection and SARS -CoV-2 infection in animals. The third section analysed the evolution of the quality 
of information received on aquatic diseases. The fourth section provided an update on the state of 
play of the OIE -WAHIS.  
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