WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/801 
9 October 2007 
 (07-4320) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English/ 
 French/  Spanish 
 
  
REPORT ON OIE ACTIVITIES TO THE 40
TH MEETING  
OF THE WTO SPS COMMITTEE 
 
Communication from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE ) 
  
 The following communication, received on 5 October 2007, is being circulated at the request of the OIE. 
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1. The OIE is pleased to provide this update for the information of SPS Committee Members.  
The topics covered in this paper are: 1) an outlin e of the OIE approach to the export of livestock 
commodities; 2) an overview of the September 2007 meeting of the Terrestrial Animal Health 
Standards Commission; and 3) a recent statement of Dr Bernard Vallat, OIE Director General, on the 
importance of improving animal health worldwide. 
1. OIE Approach to the Export of Livestock Commodities 
2. The OIE addresses trade on a commodities basis in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code  (the 
Code ).  The Code  recommends science-based measures as appropriate to the risk of the relevant 
disease epidemiology for the expor t of commodities.  ("Commodity"  excludes live animals in its 
context).  Where possible the Code includes alterna tive approaches, such as testing or treatment of 
product or sourcing animals from disease-free countries, zones or compartments. 
3. Although the OIE constantly encourages countries to respect the Code  provisions, the OIE is 
aware that Members do not always utilize the fl exibility offered by the Code and understands the 
frustration of some countries seeking to export pro ducts using measures contained in the Code when 
trading partners insist upon imposing stricter measur es.  In an attempt to improve the situation, the 
OIE is preparing a guidance document on how to draw up and implement commodity trade measures, 
using examples drawn from the Code. 
4. In response to comments from some OIE Members,  the OIE is prepared to further examine 
any scientific evidence that bonel ess beef (deboned, matured, pH  tested) may safely be traded 
regardless of the disease status of the exporting count ry/zone.  The OIE agrees on the need to support 
commodity-based trade, however, the proviso is that  it should be done in accordance with scientific 
principles and other requirements of the Code, incl uding the quality and sustainability of veterinary 
services.  The OIE is not in favor of the comm odity-based approach without accepting the need to 
strengthen veterinary services, as this would give little hope for the country to achieve improvements 
in animal health and food safety.  "Commodity  based approach" can not be dissociated from a 
country’s obligation to conduct appropriate surve illance for OIE-listed animal diseases in their 
territory. G/SPS/GEN/801 
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  2. Recent discussions in the Terrestrial Animal Health Standard Commission 
5. The Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commiss ion (the Code Commission) met in Paris on 
17 - 28 September 2007.  This paper contains a summary of the key points discussed by the Code 
Commission for information of SPS Committee Members.  The full text of the Code Commission report will be placed on the OIE Internet site ( www.oie.int
) later in 2007.  
(a) Containment Zone 
6. The Code Commission is in the process of inco rporating in the Terrestrial Code the concept 
of a disease containment zone.  A containment zone is  a particular example of zoning, which may be 
implemented with the objective of managing the trad e disrupting effects of an incursion of disease 
into a country or zone that was previously free of the disease in question.  At this stage, the 
containment zone has been discussed  in the context of foot and mouth disease, but the principle could 
be applied to other diseases in the Code. 
(b) Zoning and Compartmentalization 
7. Mindful of some confusion in the appli cation of the concepts of zoning and 
compartmentalization, the Code Commission proposed  some clarification of the Code Chapter of 
Zoning and Compartmentalization.  The OIE is al so developing general guidelines on the application 
of compartmentalization.  
(c) Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) 
8. The Code Commission proposed to add text on  safe trade in casings of small ruminants and 
pigs.  
(d) Disease-free status: implication of infection in wildlife 
9. The Commission discussed the Code approach to  infection in wildlife, noting that the 
approach taken to diseases differs.  For example, fi ndings of avian influenza (AI) in wild birds do not 
affect the AI status of the poultry in a country.  A key factor to consider is whether the disease of 
interest is endemic in wildlife or occurring sporadi cally (e.g. incursions from a neighbouring country).  
However, the approach to avian influenza is to en courage reporting in both domestic and wild birds, 
to provide good, up-to-date disease information on a global basis and to help protect human health.  
(e) Emerging and re-emerging diseases and bluetongue 
10. The OIE is continuing to work on the important  topic of emerging diseases.  Current issues 
include carriage of rabies virus in non-terrestrial mammals, such as bats, and the associated risks for 
human health.  West Nile fever is an example of  a vector (mosquito) borne disease that can infect 
humans, with fatal results.  Equine encephalosis, wh ich is caused by a virus in the same group as the 
bluetongue viruses, appears to be an emerging disease in Africa.  The spread of vector-borne diseases 
including bluetongue, which has become more evident in recent years, may be associated with climate 
change and/or globalization. 
11. The Code Commission discussed the situation with  bluetongue in Europe and identified a 
possible need for the OIE to update its recommenda tions on bluetongue vaccines to help manage the 
disease and avoid unjustified trade disruption.   G/SPS/GEN/801 
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  12. The impact of climate and environment ch anges on emerging and re-emerging animal 
diseases has been selected as one of the technical ite ms for the 77th OIE General Session in 2009.  An 
expert group will be convene d to address this topic. 
(f) Bovine tuberculosis 
13. Wildlife can play an important role as disease re servoirs, including in b ovine tuberculosis.  
The OIE is addressing the role of wildlife reservoirs  through an expert group.  In addition, the 
surveillance requirements for bovine tuberculosis were reviewed.  
(g) Bovine spongiform encephalopathy 
14. The Code Commission reviewed text in the Terr estrial Code on the production of gelatine, 
tallow and dicalcium phosphate, to reflect the diffe rent risk management considerations for the 
commodities. 
(h) Avian influenza and Newcastle disease in poultry 
15. No substantive new scientific issues had been raised by members on the Code texts on avian 
influenza, suggesting that the issues raised during the last few years have been largely addressed and 
the texts can be considered as stabilized.  The OIE is working to harmonize the Newcastle disease 
chapter with that on avian influenza, given the pr actical reality that Members address both diseases in 
poultry with the same set of measures. 
(i) Animal welfare 
16. The OIE is continuing to develop guidance for members on animal welfare.  Current work 
addresses methods for the control of dog populations , a topic that falls within the OIE mandates for 
protection of animal health, public health and anim al welfare.  One of the primary objectives of the 
guidelines is to help developing countries deal wi th the serious human health risks posed by free 
ranging dogs carrying rabies and other zoonoses.  
17. The OIE will hold a 2nd OIE Global Conference on Animal Welfare on 20-22 October 2008 in 
Cairo.  Relevant information can be found at:  http://www.oie.int/eng/A_AW2008/home.htm  
(j) The OIE Tool for the Evaluation of Performa nce of Veterinary Services (OIE PVS Tool) 
18. The second edition of the OIE Tool for the Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services  
(OIE PVS Tool ) will be released later this year, following an OIE Seminar for PVS assessors that will 
take place in collaboration with the Ecole Nati onale des Services Vétérinaires (ENSV), an OIE 
Collaborating Centre for the Training of Official Ve terinarians.  The Seminar will be held at the 
ENSV in Lyon.  
19. In response to a request for clarification of the status of the OIE PVS Tool under the SPS 
Agreement, the Code Commission advised that Code  Chapters 1.3.3. and 1.3.4. are international 
standards and the OIE PVS Tool  is a practical guide on applying these standards.  
(k) OIE Guidelines on the design and implementation of  identification systems to achieve animal 
traceability 
20. The OIE is continuing to work on this im portant topic, with the development of 
recommendations in the Terrestrial Code.  The Fi rst International OIE Conference on Identification G/SPS/GEN/801 
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  and Traceability will be held in collaboration with  the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Buenos 
Aires, in 2009.  Information will be pl aced on the OIE internet site shortly.  
(l) The work of the OIE in Animal Production Food Safety 
21. The OIE and the Codex Alimentarius Commissi on are maintaining collaboration in the 
development of all relevant standards.  The OIE is  completing standards on animal feeding and on the 
management of Salmonella in eggs and broiler ch ickens.  An OIE/FAO "Guide to Good Farming 
Practice" is close to finalization and the OIE is developing a new guidance document for members on 
"the Role of the Veterinary Services in Food Safety". 
(m) Redevelopment of the Terrestrial  Code   
22. The OIE is in the process of redeveloping the Terrestrial  Code  into two volumes, with a 
clearer separation of "horizontal" and "vertical" standards and more logical presentation of all 
information.  The revised version of the Terrestrial Code will be released in 2008. 
23. The next meeting of the Terrestrial Code Commission is scheduled on 10–14 March 2008.  
24. The report of the Commission will be poste d on the OIE internet site shortly (see 
http://www.oie.int/tahsc/eng/en_reports.htm
) 
3. Improving animal health worldwide is a priority  
25. By adopting the OIE's Fourth Strategic Plan in May 2005, our Member Countries decided to 
update our historic mandate.  The OIE was cr eated in 1924 with the aim of controlling the 
international spread of infectious animal diseases.   Over and above this historic mission, our new 
mandate is now "to improve anim al health worldwide".  This considerably broadens our 
responsibilities since, not only does it require all our Member Countries and Territories to share the 
same political will, but new institutional and techni cal mechanisms will have to be developed at a 
national, regional and worldwide level.  
26. To succeed, the OIE must now provide policy makers with the right information, arguments 
and tools for this political will to be exercised eff ectively and sustainably.  These arguments must first 
and foremost be founded on a qualitative and quan titative evaluation of the political, social and 
economic benefits to be gained by investing more  in new national, regional and worldwide animal 
health systems.  
27. Yet, to improve animal health, political will alone is not enough.  The effectiveness of 
investments in animal health systems depends on good governance of the mechanisms intended to 
implement them.  The Veterinary Services, including both their public and private sector components, are in the front line when it comes to improving an imal health.  Increasing their effectiveness depends 
on the mobilization of adequate human and financia l resources, and on the application of the methods 
of good governance described in the OIE Code and democratically adopted in the form of 
international standards by the 169 Member Count ries and Territories.  Good governance requires both 
legislation and the necessary human and financial resources to apply it.  
28. In order to improve animal health by making th e Veterinary Services more effective, we need 
to be able to demonstrate that this field of activity  qualifies as a "global public good".  This needs to 
be backed up by solid arguments.   G/SPS/GEN/801 
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  29. The sudden appearance of new risks to popula tions and agricultural sectors throughout the 
world, in an unprecedented context of globalization of pathogens and climate change, lies central to 
our argument.  
30. It is easy to demonstrate that the prevention and control of zoonoses by implementing OIE 
standards and guidelines linked to the WTO/SPS Agre ement are an essential component of public 
health policies.  An analysis of th e current avian influenza crisis is a perfect example of this argument, 
but there are many others (SARS, BSE, Rift Valley fever, rabies, etc.).  
31. We must also mention the considerable economic  and social impact of animal diseases on the 
rural economy of our Member Countries and Territories.  
32. Leaving aside the economic and strategic importance of animal production sectors under 
constant threat from these diseases in rich countries, which have very often already eradicated them at 
great expense, livestock production play s a considerable role in the surv ival of poor rural communities 
in developing countries.  The permanent threat that these diseases pose to livestock raised in poor 
countries is also a grave threat to poor rural and pe riurban communities.  The losses they are currently 
suffering from animal diseases are already considerable and are on the increase.  
33. It is important to reiterate that the control of animal diseases makes an important contribution 
to the fight against poverty throughout the world, in terms of both public health and support for the 
economic and social development of the populations and countries concerned.  
34. This argument is backed up by an analysis of the current regional and global flow of trade in 
animals and animal products.  Exports can in some cases offer a precious source of income for 
developing countries and their rural producers, but for sanitary reasons this outlet is very often closed 
to them.  Effective control of animal diseases in these countries would therefore help to give them 
access to valuable markets from which they are currently barred as they are not yet able to control or 
eradicate the most important of these diseases.  
35. Investing in new animal health systems throughout the world thus helps not only to protect 
countries from natural or intentional threats linked to the reintroduction of infectious animal diseases 
and zoonoses that they have already succeeded in elim inating, but also to safeguard public health, 
reduce poverty and open to all the possibility to trade their agricultural products freely with the rest of 
the world.  The OIE will deliver these messages loud a nd clear wherever they need to be heard.  At 
the same time, we are working w ith economists to provide policy ma kers with convincing arguments 
backed up by figures.  
36. By evaluating Veterinary Services' compliance with its quality standards, the OIE can also 
identify priority areas for investment on behalf of the national Veterinary Services in each Member 
Country or Territory that so wishes.  The ultimat e aim is to ensure that veterinary surveillance 
networks are in place everywhere, since early detection of diseases and an immediate response are the keys to effective prevention and control of natural or intentional sanitary disasters.  
37. Nearly 40 countries are currently being evaluated by experts trained and certified by the OIE.  
The World Animal Health and Welfare Fund, set up by the OIE in 2004, is dedicated to this 
evaluation and analysis activity and to providing continuing education in the OIE's five regions for national officials in charge of modernizing the Vete rinary Services and maintaining relations with the 
OIE as well as for relevant private sector representatives.  
38. In carrying out its new mandate, the OIE will also co ntinue to give top priority to its scientific 
and technical missions relating to the permanent updating of disease control methods.  G/SPS/GEN/801 
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  39. In addition to providing the communication needed  to ensure that these control methods are 
applied effectively by adequately resourced Veteri nary Services everywhere, it is essential to form 
alliances with intergovernmental organizations  such as the WTO, FAO and the WHO and with 
relevant regional organizations, not forgetting key private sector partners such as organizations of 
producers, veterinarians, processors, a nd catering and distribution chains.  
40. Lastly, we must bear in mind that animal health  is a crucial factor in ensuring food safety and 
an essential component of animal welfare.  This explains why consumers and animal welfare groups 
actively support the fulfilment of our new mandate.  
41. There can be no doubt that improving animal health is a global public good:  more than 
120 countries need help to reach a situation that is  satisfactory for them and does not pose a sanitary 
risk to other countries.  This is clearly a highly  relevant area for the expression of international 
solidarity, in the interest of us all.  
 
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