WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/552 
4 March 2005 
 (05-0940) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English/ 
 French/  Spanish 
 
 
NEW OR REVISED STANDARDS BEING PROPOSED FOR ADOPTION  
AT THE 73
RD OIE GENERAL SESSION (MAY 2005) 
 
Communication from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)  
 
 
 The following communication, dated 3 March 2005, is being circulated at the request of the 
OIE. 
_______________ 
 
Terrestrial Animal Health Code 
1. The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission (hereafter referred to as the 
Terrestrial Code Commission) met at the OIE Headquarters in Paris from 17-28 January 2005.  
2. The following chapters and appendices from th e Terrestrial Animal Health Code were 
modified and are being submitted for adoption: 
• Evaluation of Veterinary Services 
3. The Terrestrial Code Commission will res pond to the recommendation on the quality of 
Veterinary Services arising from the OIE/AU-IB AR seminar held in Cairo in October 2004, 
requesting that the OIE develop more detailed guide lines for the establishment and functioning of the 
'Veterinary Statutory Body' and some guidelines for community animal h ealth workers.  The 
Terrestrial Code Commission also noted the Cairo seminar recommendations on strengthening 
Veterinary Services and urged Member countries to implement fully the guidelines in the Terrestrial 
Code.  
• Zoning and compartmentalization 
4. The Terrestrial Code Commission drafted a revise d chapter with the aim of providing more 
guidance to Member countries on zoning and comp artmentalization, especially the procedures 
involved in setting up zones and compartments, and ha ving them recognised for international trade.  
The revised text in English is attached. 
• General Guidelines for Anim al Health Surveillance 
5. This text will serve as an introduction to the appendices dealing with surveillance of specific 
diseases, such as FMD, avian influenza and classical swine fever (which are also being proposed for 
adoption).  G/SPS/GEN/552 
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 • Criteria for listing diseases  
6. A revised list of the OIE terrestrial diseases has been developed by an ad hoc Group on 
disease/pathogen notification by assessing each disease against the agreed criteria.  
• Foot and mouth disease 
7. Among other recommendations, the Terrestrial Code Commission has proposed that 
maturation and deboning should not be required for meat exported from countries or zones free from 
foot and mouth disease with vaccination.  
• Bluetongue 
• Bovine tuberculosis 
• BSE 
8. As a result of the outcome of the discu ssion on BSE at the 2004 General Session and the 
universal support in comments received from Member countries, the Terrestrial Code Commission decided to prepare for adoption a revised BSE chapter based on the three category approach, 
according to BSE risk.  The categories are:  neg ligible BSE risk without commodity-specific risk 
mitigation measures;  negligible BSE risk with  commodity-specific risk mitigation measures and 
undetermined BSE risk. 
9. The Terrestrial Code Commission has recommende d that blood and blood  products be placed 
in the list of commodities which require no
 BSE-specific risk mitigation measures.  The Commission 
was also of the view that there was no scientific ba sis for considering that boneless skeletal muscle 
meat (excluding mechanically derived meat) was likely to contain BSE infectivity, and recommended 
that boneless skeletal muscle meat also be placed in the list of commodities which require no  BSE-
specific risk mitigation measures. 
10. The Terrestrial Code Commission discussed the cr iteria listed for the determination of the 
BSE risk status of a country, zone or compartmen t, and considered that surveillance burdens should 
be commensurate with the BSE risk determined th rough a structured, formal science-based risk 
assessment.  Accordingly, the Commission proposed that the fo rmal surveillance requirements 
specified in the proposed new B SE surveillance appendix should not apply to those Member countries 
where the BSE risk has b een assessed as negligible.  However, other criteria would still apply, in 
particular the compulsory notification and investiga tion of all cattle showing clinical signs consistent 
with BSE.  Maintenance surveillance for BSE will need to be considered further by the experts. 
• Classical swine fever 
• Avian influenza 
11. During the 2004 General Session, a revised Terr estrial Code chapter on highly pathogenic 
avian influenza was adopted by the OIE Interna tional Committee, but incorporating many articles 
under study (ie not applicable until finalized).  An expe rt group met in November 2004 to review all 
proposals received, and its recommendations were considered by the Terrestrial Code Commission in January. 
12. Four groups of commodities were identified - liv e poultry, genetic material (hatching eggs, 
semen and day old poultry), products for human c onsumption (eggs and meat ) and others (feathers 
etc).  The Terrestrial Code Commission developed recommendations for commodities in each of these  G/SPS/GEN/552 
 Page 3 
 
 
 groups based on the assessed risk of virus transmission.   For example, as the risk of virus transmission 
via live poultry and genetic material is the high est, recommendations for trade in these commodities 
are the most restrictive;  recommendations for tr ade in products for human consumption are less 
restrictive.  The experts had noted that highly pa thogenic AI viruses could be found in meat and the 
interior of eggs, and considered that poultry infect ed with highly pathogenic AI viruses not be used as 
a source of human food. 
13. In making its recommendations, the Commission weighed the evidence for the low likelihood 
of transmission of low pathogenicity virus agai nst the possible negative effects onerous trade 
measures may have on Member countries willingness to report low pathogenicity virus.  Failure to 
report accurately would increase the likelihood of spre ad of the virus, nationally and internationally. 
• Antimicrobial resistance 
14. Revised recommendations on the prudent use of  antimicrobials and risk assessment for 
antimicrobial resistance are being presented for adoption. 
• Animal welfare 
15. Draft animal welfare guidelines on land and sea transport, killing for disease control purposes 
and slaughter for human consumption are being proposed for adoption. 
The following issues were also discussed: 
• Animal identification and traceability 
16. The aim of the work underway in the OIE is  to provide the Working Group on Animal 
Production Food Safety with information on the current state of 'animal identification' in the different OIE regions.  The data was collected from the r esponses to OIE questionnaires to Member countries. 
From this preliminary work, the lack of homogene ity of approach among OIE Member countries on 
this issue is evident. 
17. Future guidelines will address both animal health and public health issues. 
• Animal production food safety 
18. The report of the April 2004 meeting of the Working Group on Animal Production Food 
Safety has been circulated for Member countries' comment.  The next meeting of the Working Group 
is in March. 
• The development of a chapter on the small hive beetle of honey bees.  
19. The report of the Terrestrial Animal Health  Standards Commission may be accessed at 
http://www.oie.int
.  
Aquatic Animal Health Code 
20. The OIE Aquatic Animal Health Standards Co mmission met at the OIE Headquarters from 
13 to 19 January 2005. 
21. The following chapters and appendices from the A quatic Animal Health Code were modified 
and are being submitted for adoption (subject to Member countries'comment): G/SPS/GEN/552 
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 • Disease listing and notification criteria 
• Revision of the list of aquatic diseases 
22. In revising the OIE list of aquatic diseases, the Aquatic Animals Commission stressed that the 
primary purpose of listing a disease was for the OIE to collate and disseminate information on the occurrence and control of that disease world-wide .  The Commission noted that Member countries 
may still impose import restrictions addressing those di seases if this is justified on the basis of a 
science based import risk analysis and on their animal health situation. 
• Notifications and epidemiological information 
23. The Commission made a number of amendments to this chapter based on Member countries' 
comments. 
• Harmonization of the structure of disease chapte rs for future editions of the Aquatic Code 
24. The Commission received Member countries' comments on the draft chapters for three 
diseases, and prepared revised versions for consideration.  
• General Recommendations on disinfection 
• Continuing work on harmonization of horizontal chapters in the Aquatic and Terrestrial Codes 
25. The work on harmonization will address initially th e sections in Part 1 (General Provisions) 
of the Aquatic Code, including: 
• Requirements for surveillance for declaration of freedom from disease;  
• Compartmentalization; 
• Listing criteria for emerging diseases.  
26. The report of the Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission may be accessed at 
http://www.oie.int
.  
Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals 
27. The updating of the 5th (2004) edition of the Manual is unde rway, with a view to publishing in 
2008.  Prior to that date, individual chapters w ill be published on the OIE Web page as they are 
updated. 
28. The following chapters have been  identified for urgent revision with a view to submission for 
adoption in May 2005:  the role of official bodi es in the international regulation of veterinary 
biologicals;  guidelines for international standards for vaccine banks (new chapter);  foot and mouth 
disease;  avian influenza;  contagious equine me tritis;  and haemorrhagic septicaemia.  Adopted 
chapters will be placed immediately on the OIE Web page. 
Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals 
29. The preparation of the fifth edition of the Aquatic Manual is underway, with a view to 
publishing in 2006.  G/SPS/GEN/552 
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 Appendix IV  
CHAPTER  1.3.5. 
 
ZONING, REGIONALISATION  AND  
COMPARTMENTALISATION 
Article 1.3.5.1. 
Introduction  
For the purposes of the Terrestrial Code , 'zoning' and 'regionalisation' have the same meaning. 
Given the difficulty of establishing and maintain ing a disease free status for an entire country, 
especially for diseases the entry of which is diff icult to control through measures at national 
boundaries, there may be benefits to Member  Countries in establishing and maintaining a 
subpopulation  with a different animal health status within national boundaries. Subpopulations  may 
be separated by natural or artificial geographical ba rriers, or in certain animal industries, by the 
application of appropriate management systems.  
Zoning and compartmentalisation are procedures impl emented by a country under the provisions of 
this Chapter with a view to defining subpopulations  of different  animal health status  within its 
territory for the purpose of disease control and/or  international trade.  and in accordance with the 
recommendations stipulated in the relevant Chapters in the  Terrestrial  Code . Compartmentalisation 
applies to a subpopulation  when management criteria  systems related to biosecurity  are applied, while 
zoning applies when a subpopulation  is defined on a geographical basis.  
This chapter is to assist OIE Member C ountries to establish and maintain different subpopulations  
within their national boundaries using the procedur es of compartmentalisation and zoning. It also 
outlines a process for trading partners to follow in achieving recognition of such subpopulation . These 
procedures are best implemented by trading part ners through establishing pa rameters and gaining 
agreement on the necessary measures prior to disease outbreaks .  
Separate requirements will be developed for each  disease for which the application of zoning or 
compartmentalisation is considered appropriate. 
Article 1.3.5.2.  
General considerations  
Before trade in animals  or their products may occur, an importing country  needs to be satisfied that its 
animal health status will be appropriately protected . In most cases, the import regulations developed 
will rely in part on judgements made about the eff ectiveness of sanitary procedures undertaken by the 
exporting country , both at its boundaries and within its territory.  
The benefits of zoning and compartmentalisation may include a contribution to disease control or 
eradication within Member Countries, and to the safety of international trade . Zoning may encourage the 
more efficient use of resources within certain parts of a country to allow trade in certain commodities  from 
that zone  in accordance with the Terrestrial Code. Compartmentalisation may allow safe trade due to the 
functional separation of a sub-population  from other domestic or wild animals through biosecurity 
measures, which a zone  (through geographical separation alone) would not achieve. Following a disease 
outbreak , compartmentalisation may be able to take advantage of epidemiological linkages despite diverse 
geographical locations, to facilitate disease control. G/SPS/GEN/552 
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 Appendix IV  (contd) 
An exporting country which is establishing a zone or compartment  within its territory for 
international trade  purposes should clearly define the subpopulation  in accordance with the measures 
stipulated in the relevant Chapters in the  Terrestrial  Code and should be able to explain to an 
importing country  the basis for its claim of a distin ct animal health status for the zone or compartment 
in such terms. Animals and herds belonging to a sub-population  need to be clearly recognisable as 
such.  The Veterinary Administration should document in detail the measures taken to ensure the 
identification  of the animals and herds belonging to a sub-population . and the recognition and 
maintenance of its health status.  
The requirements necessary to  preserve  procedures used to establish and maintain  the distinct health 
status of a zone or compartment  should be appropriate to th e particular circumstances  disease , and 
will depend on the epidemiology of the disease, e nvironmental factors, applicable biosecurity 
measures, (including movement  controls, use of natural and artificial boundaries,  and  measures,  
commercial management and husbandry practices),  and surveillance and monitoring . The exporting 
country  should be able to demonstrate, through de tailed documentation published through official 
channels, that it has implemented the measures stipulated in the Terrestrial  Code  for establishing and 
maintaining such a zone or compartment . 
The extent of a zone and its limits should be established by the Veterinary Administration  on the 
basis of natural, artificial or legal boundari es, and made public through official cha nnels. The 
requirements regarding a compartment  should be established by the Veterinary Administration  on the 
basis of relevant criteria such as management and husbandry practices, and made public through 
official channels.  
Thus defined, the zones  and comp artments  constitute the relevant sub-populations for the application 
of the recommendations in Part 2 of the Terrestrial  Code . 
Article 1.3.5.3.  
When an exporting country  has defined a zone or compartment  within its territory in respect of one or 
more of th e diseases covered by the Terrestrial  Code , it needs to implement the measures stipulated 
in the Terrestrial  Code  for establishing and maintaining such a zone or compartment .  
An importing country  should recognise the existence of this zone or compartment  and accept the 
application of the appropriate measures recommended in the Terrestrial  Code  corresponding to the 
animal health status  of the zone or compartment  with regard to the importa tion, or transit through its 
territory, of commodities  from the zone or compartment . 
Article 1.3.5.3.  
Prerequisite considerations in defining a zone or compartment  
The exporting country  should conduct a practical assessment of the resources needed and available to 
establish and maintain a zone or compartment  for international trade  purposes. These include the 
human and financial resources, and the technical capability of the Veterinary Services (and of the 
relevant industry, in the case of a compartment ). 
  G/SPS/GEN/552 
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 Appendix IV  (contd) 
Article 1.3.5.4.  
Principles for defining a zone or compartment  
 
In conjunction with the above considerations, defining a zone or compartment  should be based on the 
application of the following principles:  
 
1) The extent of a zone and its limits should be established by the Veterinary Administration  on the 
basis of natural, artificial or legal boundari es, and made public through official channels.  
2) The requirements regarding a compartment  should be established by the Veterinary 
Administration  on the basis of relevant criteria such  as biosecurity management and husbandry 
practices, and made public through official channels.  
3) Animals and herds belonging to subpopulations  need to be clearly recognizable as such. The 
Veterinary Administration  must document in detail the measures taken to ensure the 
identification of the subpopulation  and the recognition and maintenance of its health status.  
4) The requirements necessary to preserve the distinct health status of a zone or compartment  must 
be appropriate to the particular disease  and will depend on the epidemiology of the disease , 
environmental factors, control measures and surveillance.  
5) Thus defined, the zones  and compartments  constitute the relevant subpopulations  for the 
application of the recommendations in Part 2 of the Terrestrial Code .  
Article 1.3.5.5.  
Sequence of steps to be taken in defining a zone/compartment  
There is no single sequence of steps wh ich must be followed in defining a zone or a compartment .  
The steps that trading partners choose will genera lly depend on the circumstances existing within a 
country and at its borders. The recommended steps are:  
1. For zoning:  
a) the exporting country  identifies a geographical area within its territory which it considers to  
contain an animal subpopulation  with a distinct health stat us with respect to a specific 
disease/specific diseases, based on surveillance and monitoring;  
b) the exporting country identifies the procedures which are being, or could be, employed to 
distinguish  such an area epidemiologically from other parts of its territory, in accordance 
with the measures stipulated in the Terrestrial Code ; 
c) the exporting country  provides the information above to the importing country , and explains 
that the area can be treated as an ep idemiologically separated zone for international trade  
purposes;  
d) the importing country  determines whether it may accept such an area as a zone for the 
importation of animals and animal products, taking into account:  
i) an evaluation of the exporting  country 's Veterinary Services ; G/SPS/GEN/552 
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 Appendix IV  (contd) 
ii) the result of a risk assessment  based on the information provided by the exporting 
country  and its own research;  
iii) its own animal health situation with respect to the disease(s) concerned; and  
iv) other relevant OIE standards;  
e) the importing country  notifies the exporting country of the result of its determination and 
the underlying reasons, within a reas onable period of time, being either:  
i) recognition of the zone; 
ii) request for further information; or  
iii) rejection of the area as a zone for international trade  purposes;  
f) an attempt should be made to resolve any differences of opinion over the definition of the 
zone, either in the interim or finally, by us ing an agreed mechanism to reach consensus 
(such as the OIE dispute settlement mechanism);  
g) the importing country  and the exporting country  may enter into a formal agreement defining 
the zone. 
2) For compartmentalisation:  
a) based on discussions with the relevant enterprise/industry, the exporting country  identifies 
within its territory one or more establishments  or other premises owned by an enterprise(s) 
which operates under a common biosecurity ma nagement system, and which it considers 
contains an animal subpopulation  with a distinct health status with respect to a specific 
disease/specific diseases;  
b) the exporting country  jointly examines the ‘biosecurity management manual’ produced by 
the enterprise/industry for such establishment (s), and confirms through an audit that:  
i) such establishment (s) is(are) epidemiologically closed throughout its routine 
operating procedures as a result of effective implementation of its ‘biosecurity 
management manual’ and;  
ii) the surveillance and monitoring programme in  place is appropriate to verify the free 
status of such establishment (s) with respect to such disease(s);  
c) the exporting country  identifies such an en terprise to be a free compartment , in accordance 
with the measures stipulated in the Terrestrial Code ; 
d) the exporting country  provides the information above to the importing country , and explains 
that such an enterprise can be treat ed as an epidemiol ogically separated compartment for 
international trade  purposes;  
e) the importing country  determines whether it may accept such an enterprise as a 
compartment  taking into account:  
i) an evaluation of the exporting  country 's Veterinary Services ;  G/SPS/GEN/552 
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 Appendix IV  (contd) 
ii) the result of a risk assessment  based on the information provided by the exporting 
country  and its own research;  
iii) its own animal health situation with respect to the disease(s) concerned; and  
iv) other relevant OIE standards;  
f) the importing country  notifies the exporting country  of the result of its examination and the 
underlying reasons, within a reasonable period of time, being either:  
i) recognition of the compartment ;  
ii) request for further information; or  
iii) rejection of such an enterprise as a compartment  for international trade  purposes;  
g) an attempt should be made to resolve any di fferences of opinion over the definition of the  
compartment , either in the interim or finally, by  using an agreed mechanism to reach 
consensus (such as the OIE dispute settlement mechanism);  
h) the importing country  and the exporting country may enter into a formal agreement defining 
the compartment . 
 
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