OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTATIONS
Dr Bernard Vallat
Director General
Contents
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Context of the conference
OIE 5th Strategic Plan
OIE role in aquatic animal health
Objectives and expectations
Desired outcomes of the conference
Global demand for food security
 Population growth: +1 billion people by 2050
 Shift from poverty to middle-class
 Increase in the number of daily meals and the protein intake of individuals
 Some projections indicate that the demand for animal protein will increase by 50%
• especially in developing countries
Aquaculture and food security
 Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector (annual
growth @ 8.4% p.a. since 1970)
 Aquaculture provides high quality animal protein
 Animal health, food security and public health are linked
 To satisfy the global demand for protein-based foods, aquatic
animal production must be intensified
 Aquaculture development brings new aquatic animal disease
risks and threats to the environment
 Aquatic animal diseases represent a major limitation to efficient
aquaculture production and a constraint on international trade;
Aquaculture: particular challenges
 Countries need efficient aquatic animal health programmes
to increase production of safe products in an
environmentally sustainable way and to participate in
international trade;
 Veterinarians and other health professionals play a key role
in the establishment and implementation of aquatic animal
health programs; but resources and qualified/skilled
professionals are often lacking
 Aquatic Animal Health Services, whether part of the
Veterinary Services or not, frequently lack financial
resources and infrastructure, including legislation, to
implement efficient aquatic animal health programs.
The ‘Global Public Good’ Concept
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The benefits of control and eradication of infectious diseases, are international and intergenerational in scope.
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Countries depend on each other – the failure of one endangers all
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Animal health systems are not a strictly commercial or agricultural good. They are fully
eligible for national and global public resources
Supporting animal health systems:
a national and global priority
Good Governance: for all countries
Competent Authorities need adequate infrastructure (including modern legislation) and resources
to support effective implementation of animal health systems in the national territory, notably
to address:
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Disease surveillance, early detection, transparency
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Rapid response to disease outbreaks
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Biosecurity measures
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Compensation
Deregulation and lack of sustainable funding for veterinary services and aquatic animal health
services can lead to biological disasters
5th OIE Strategic Plan (2011-2015)
Animal Health systems are a global public good
Global public goods > benefit all countries, people and generations
One World-One Health (OWOH)
A global strategy for cooperation in managing risks at the animal-human interface
Relation between animal health, animal production and the environment
Need to gain a clearer understanding of the link between animals and the environment.
5th OIE Strategic Plan: Key concepts
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Food Security and Food Safety
 Increasing demand for a global supply of safe food
 Food security, especially the supply of affordable high quality protein, is a key public health
concern
 Animal health programs contribute to food security and food safety
 Veterinary Services and aquatic animal health services play a key role in meeting societal
expectations.
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Standard Setting
 The OIE is the unique global organisation setting science-based standards and guidelines for
animal health (including zoonoses), animal welfare and animal production food safety
5th Strategic Plan: Key concepts
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Animal welfare: a strategic engagement
 Animal health is a key component of animal welfare
 OIE, with the mandate of its Members, is recognised globally as the leader in setting
international animal welfare standards
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Veterinary education
 High quality veterinarians play an essential role in society
 Need for standardisation of the veterinary diploma, both initial and continuing education
 The OIE role in developing standards, including for aquatic animal health, progressed
through OIE Global Conferences (Paris 2009 and Lyon 2011).
5th Strategic Plan: Key concepts
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Good Governance of Veterinary Services and Aquatic Animal Health Services (AAHS)
 Members need appropriate infrastructure to support implementation of national animal health
programmes throughout the territory
 Governments have the overall authority and responsibility
 Alliances between public and private sectors (veterinarians, farmers, consumers)
 OIE standards for efficient Veterinary and AAHS Services
• Using the OIE PVS Pathway
 Role of the Veterinary Statutory Body setting standards for the practice of veterinary medicine.
The OIE role in standard setting
The ‘3 sisters’
food safety
CODEX
animal health and
zoonoses
OIE
plant health
IPPC
WTO SPS Agreement recognises OIE as a reference organisation for
international standards on animal health including zoonoses
Publication of international standards
Aquatic Animal Health Code
amphibians, crustaceans, fish and molluscs
Manual of Diagnostic Tests
for Aquatic Animals
Official reference of the WTO SPS Agreement
Adopted by consensus of OIE Members
International standards
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Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission oversees production of the Aquatic Code
and Aquatic Manual;
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1st edition of the Aquatic Code and Manual produced in 1995;
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Recent developments include Code chapters on:
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welfare of farmed fish
prudent use of antimicrobial agents in aquatic animals
criteria for safety of aquatic animal commodities
control of hazards in feed
New listing of two diseases of amphibians
International standards: antimicrobial use
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There is an urgent need to address the issues associated with antimicrobial use in aquatic
animals
Very few effective compounds have been developed and authorised for use in aquatic
animals
Use in aquatic animals involves the deliberate introduction of these chemicals into the food
chain and the environment
Uncontrolled use can lead to the emergence of resistant bacteria, which reduces the
therapeutic value of antimicrobials…leading to
Public perception of a “drug-based” industry and consumer aversion to aquaculture
products.
International standards: antimicrobial use
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The OIE recognises that this issue has important implications for human health, animal
health and the environment
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We are developing standards and recommendations to Members through an ad hoc Group
on Antimicrobial Resistance and Aquatic Animals
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The Chair of the ad hoc Group will make a presentation at this conference on the steps that
need to be taken to manage these risks.
Consultation on standards development
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Increasing numbers of Members engage in standard development by submitting
comments on draft texts
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Experts are drawn from OIE reference centres and from all regions to participate in
OIE ad hoc Groups, which report to Working Groups (Animal Welfare, Wildlife and
Animal Production Food Safety) and/or Elected Commissions
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Creation of National Aquatic Animal Focal Points (AAFP), under the authority of the
National Delegate, help to strengthen engagement and implementation of standards
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to date, 147 Members have nominated AAFP.
OIE global partnerships
The OIE has cooperative agreements with 51 global and regional organisations, most of
which mainly focus on terrestrial animals, with some exceptions.
OIE DISEASE REPORTING: LEGAL OBLIGATIONS
Chapter 1.1 Aquatic Code
‘Notification of Diseases and Epidemiological Information’
Article 1.1.2
Members shall make available to other Members, through the OIE, whatever
information is necessary to minimise the spread of important animal diseases and to
assist in achieving better worldwide control of these diseases
TRANSPARENCY: WAHIS
www.oie.int/wahis
WAHIS: terrestrial and aquatic diseases (2009)
TRANSPARENCY: WAHID PUBLIC INTERFACE
http://www.oie.int/wahid
The OIE’s scientific excellence
Reference Laboratories
May 2011
• 190 Reference laboratories
• 101 diseases or topics (34 aquatic diseases)
• 161 experts (team leaders)
The OIE’s scientific excellence
Collaborating Centres
May 2011
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37 Collaborating Centres in 21 countries
35 topics (2 aquatic animal issues)
37 experts (team leaders)
OIE support to Members
Objectives of the OIE Twinning Program
Better global geographical coverage - focus on developing and transition countries
Regional support for early diagnosis and reporting of listed diseases
Improved access for more countries to scientific expertise and to participate in OIE standard setting process.
HOWEVER:
Only 1 / 30 current projects addresses aquatic animal disease
OIE support to Members
OIE PVS Pathway:
Collaborating with governments, stakeholders and donors
Veterinary Services
Strategic Plan
Modernisation
of legislation
Evaluation PVS
« diagnosis »
PVS Gap Analysis
« prescription»
Public/private
Partnerships
PVS Follow-Up
Evaluation mission
Country / Donors
Investment / Projects
Veterinary
Education
Laboratories
http://www.oie.int/eng/oie/organisation/en_vet_eval_tool.htm?e1d2
PVS Pathway: first (diagnostic) step
 External independent evaluation (objectivity)
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Experts trained and certified by the OIE
Based on facts & evidence, not impressions
Not an audit
Voluntary, at request of a country
Report confidential unless country decides to release it
 To assess:
 Compliance with OIE standards
 Strengths / Weaknesses/ Gaps / areas for improvement
 Peer reviewed
 Recognised by international donors
 Provides strong arguments for investment by governments/donors
PVS Evaluation missions
State of play – 06/06/2011
OIE Members
PVS
Requests
Missions done
Reports available
Africa
52
50
44
35
Americas
29
22
20
16
Asia & Pacific
31
18
14
11
Europe
53
14
13
10
Middle East
12
12
11
5
Total
178
116
102
77
OIE Regions
PVS Gap Analysis: prescriptive step
PVS Gap
PVS
Gap
Analysis
Analysis
Budget
Trade
Trade
(8 cards)
Animal
Animal
Health
Health
Veterinary
Public
Health
(5 cards)
(4 cards)
Veterinary
Veterinary
Laboratories
Laboratories
Management
Management and
ofRegulatory
Veterinary
Services
Services
(2 cards)
(21 cards)
Cost Estimation Cards
Trade1
Trade8
AH1
AH5
VPH1
VPH4
Lab1
Lab2
MVS1
MVS21
PVS Pathway and
Aquatic Animal Health Services
 OIE PVS Pathway is a proven tool to help Members strengthen Veterinary Services
 OIE has developed a modified Tool for use in the evaluation of Aquatic Animal Health Services (AAHS)
 The same principles apply
 There are some differences (e.g. the role played by veterinarians as opposed to aquatic animal
health professionals
 The revised Tool is being further refined through pilot evaluations of AAHS
 I encourage all Delegates to consider requesting an evaluation.
OIE support to Members
OIE asks Members to appoint national focal points in 7 specific areas, under the authority of
the National Delegate.
The role of focal points is primarily to support the national Delegate in meeting his/her OIE
obligations
The OIE provides regular seminars for FP in each region.
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Aquatic animal diseases
Wildlife
Animal disease notification
Veterinary products
Animal welfare
Animal production food safety
Communication
Veterinary Education
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Initial and continuing veterinary education is a key tool for global good governance
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The aquatic sector needs better access to appropriately trained and skilled veterinarians
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There is an urgent need to improve the education of both veterinarians and aquatic
animal health professionals
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The OIE is developing a list of day 1 competencies, including aquatic animal health, for
veterinary graduates; considered as minimum requirements –countries may adopt stricter
standards
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The Veterinary Statutory Body is responsible for recognition and quality control
procedures.
Legislation covering the Veterinary domain
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A crucial element of the Veterinary Services’ infrastructure
Not updated for many years in many OIE Members
Inadequate in structure and content for the challenges facing VS in today’s world
the OIE provides assistance to Members via the Global Veterinary Legislation Initiative,
part of the
OIE PVS Pathway for efficient Veterinary Services
Objectives and expectations
 Our objective is to help to improve aquatic animal health worldwide and thereby, help alleviate
poverty and hunger
 To assist national authorities for aquatic animal health and welfare to address important threats and
challenges:
‣ Feeding the growing world population
‣ Globalisation
‣ Climate change and other environmental threats
‣ Societal expectations
 Explain how compliance with OIE standards and guidelines can help Member countries and
regional organisations to meet these goals
Objectives and expectations
 To raise awareness of the OIE support available to Members through the OIE PVS Pathway
and associated initiatives, including:
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the OIE PVS Gap Analysis and PVS follow up
 Veterinary Legislation Strengthening Programme
 Twinning programmes
 OIE Veterinary Education Initiative
Objectives and expectations
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To continue advocating on behalf of Veterinary Services and Aquatic Animal Health
Services as a Global Public Good and to encourage governments and donors to make
needed investments
To provide compelling messages for VS/AAHS to help convince decision-makers of the
need for investment;
To raise awareness of the key importance of quality education for veterinarians and aquatic
animal health professionals to improve aquatic animal health programs
Objectives and expectations
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To raise awareness of the need for research in some key areas, such as
nutrition, sustainably sources of feed and disease prevention for aquaculture
species;
To advocate for applied research to support sustainable aquaculture
development while avoiding unwanted impacts on the environment.
Desired outcomes (1)
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Full engagement of all participants, including by taking key consensual
messages back to national governments;
Increased Member requests for PVS evaluations of Aquatic Animal Health
Services;
Closer collaboration between the Veterinary Services and other Authorities
responsible for aquatic animal health;
Desired outcomes (2)
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Generally improved compliance with OIE standards and guidelines,
notably for diagnosis and reporting of OIE-listed diseases;
Members contribute more actively to the OIE standard setting process
Respect for and commitment to implement SPS standards, including
animal health certification under the responsibility of governmental
authorities;
Desired outcomes (3)
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All Members nominate Focal Points for Aquatic Animals and support
their participation in OIE regional capacity building activities
Members with reference centres provide the needed resources for their
activities and consider entering into twinning agreements with
developing countries;
Desired outcomes (4)
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Endorsement of the OIE approach to global capacity building and
twinning programmes for aquatic animal health programs, with increased
support from OIE Partners and Donors for the PVS Pathway and other
initiatives;
Increased applications for recognition as OIE Reference Centres on
aquatic animal issues and, for existing reference laboratories, continued
support for the application of OIE standards by Members;
Desired outcomes (5)
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Renewed emphasis on the importance of initial and continuing education
in aquatic animal health as a key component of efficient aquatic animal
health programs
Increased support from governments and donors for the conduct of
applied research needed for efficient aquatic animal health programmes.
Desired outcomes (6)
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The OIE continue taking steps to make the PVS Pathway more accessible to governments that wish
to strengthen Aquatic Animal Health Services, including through the conduct of pilot assessments at
the request of countries
The OIE continue to enter into cooperative agreements with regional and international
organisations, with the goal of increasing awareness of the need for aquatic animal health programs,
improve early diagnosis and reporting of aquatic animal diseases and foster cooperation between
veterinary and other relevant authorities at the national, regional and international level
The OIE continue working to build Members’ capacity through providing training seminars and
other activities for National Focal Points for Aquatic Animals.
With grateful thanks to
This conference is co-funded by the European Union
Financial support for participation also provided by:
…and to the Government of the Republic
of Panama for hosting the conference
Thank you for your attention
Organisation mondiale
de la santé animale
World Organisation
for Animal Health
Organización Mundial
de Sanidad Animal
12 rue de Prony, 75017 Paris, France - www.oie.int – oie@oie.int