. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/666 
28 March 2006 
 
 (06-1415) 
Committee on Sanitary and  
Phytosanitary Measures Original:   Spanish 
 
 
 
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL 
ORGANIZATION FOR PLANT AND ANIMAL HEALTH (OIRSA) IN 
RELATION TO THE AGREEM ENT ON THE APPLICATION 
OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 
 
Communication from OIRSA  
   The following communication, received on 27 Marc h 2006, is being circulated at the request 
of the International Regional Organizati on for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA). 
 
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Training and dissemination in the area  of agricultural health and trade  
 
1. In Mexico and the Central American countries, a seminar has been held on the subject of 
sanitary and phytosanitary measures an d the ways in which they relate to and affect international trade 
and business competitiveness.  Designed for government, private and academic circles, the seminar is 
geared towards analysis and discussion of the inte raction and linkages between the application of 
sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and intern ational trade, distinguishing between situations 
in which SPS measures become barriers to trade or  are warranted in the mu ltilateral context.  In 
particular, case methodology is used in order to  illustrate the effects of SPS measures on the 
competitiveness of agribusiness.  The broad themes covered include the following: 
• The global environment of agricultural trade; 
 
• Brief analysis of country agricultural trade; 
 
• Agriculture in the multilateral negotiations:  State of play: 
 
o Key outcomes of the Uruguay Round; 
 
o Doha; 
 
• Plant and animal health:  The Agreement: 
 
o The principles; 
 
o Practical exercises in application; 
 
• Plant and animal health:  Majo r differences.  Lessons learnt; 
 
• Plant and animal health as a non-tariff ba rrier and a factor of competitiveness; G/SPS/GEN/666 
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• Plant and animal health:  Case study (country-specific experiences). 
 2. In El Salvador, the "First Regional Workshop to  Prepare the Manual of Good Practices for the 
Sanitary Production and Handling of Milk" will take place between 28 and 30 March 2006. 
Support for dissemination of international and regional standards 
 
3. In El Salvador, the "Manual of Good Prac tices for the Production and Manufacturing of 
Balsam of El Salvador" was submitted to the public and private sectors for consideration. 
Strengthening national sanitary institutions to facilitate trade 
 4. In the Dominican Republic, support was provided for the induction and training of Agrifood 
Safety Department staff at the Ministry of Agri culture, by defining the Department's workplan for 
2006-2007.  Support was also given for the revision of the technical regulations on Good Agricultural 
Practices and Good Livestock Practices. 
5. Continued support is being provided, within th e context of the Central American Customs 
Union, to the Sub-Group on Sanitary and Phytosanita ry Measures, which is currently revising regional 
guidelines for the international transit of animal and plant products and by-products, and reviewing 
contingency plans for pests and diseases of quarantine and economic significance. 
Strengthening OIRSA's relations with other international agencies 
 
6. OIRSA took part in the First Meeting of th e OIE's Inter-American Committee on Aquatic 
Animal Health, held in Panama City on 17 and 18 January 2006.  The objectives of the meeting were 
to strengthen contacts between experts in this field and to develop strategies to promote the 
implementation of OIE guidelines, rules and standa rds, the exchange of scientific and technical 
information, and the harmonization, approval and strengthening of Veterinary Services. 
7. OIRSA participated in the Sub-Regional Wo rkshop on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, 
held in Panama City, Panama, from 20 to 24 Febr uary 2006.  The workshop was hosted by the Pan 
American Health Organization (PAHO)/World H ealth Organization (WHO), with support from the 
United States Agency for International Developm ent (USAID) and particip ation by organizations 
such as OIRSA.  The outcomes of the workshop in cluded:  (a) Central American pandemic simulation 
exercise validated;  (b) level of critical and shared  knowledge of the WHO Global Plan and checklist;  
(c) Checklist for the National Pandemic Response Pl an revised, extended and agreed;  (d) Updated 
self-evaluation document for each country's Nationa l Pandemic Response Plan;  and (e) undertaking 
for immediate, prioritized and specific action, designed to supplement each country's National 
Pandemic Response Plan and its operation a nd implementation at the local level. 
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