89th Meeting of the SPS Committee
Communication from the World Organisation for Animal
Health (WOAH)
The following communication,
received on 5 June 2024, is being circulated at the request
of the WOAH.
_______________
The World Organisation for
Animal Health (WOAH) is pleased to provide this report for the information of WTO Members
attending the 89th meeting of the SPS Committee.
1 91st General
Session
1.1. The 91st Annual General Session of the World Assembly of
Delegates (the Assembly) was held from 26 to 30 May 2024 in Paris, France. More
than 1,400 participants attended the General Session, including WOAH Delegates
and delegations, representatives from partner organisations and senior
government officials. The Assembly also celebrated the centenary of the
Organisation with remarks and congratulatory messages from a number of foreign
Ministers.
1.2. Dr Emmanuelle Soubeyran (France) was elected as the new Director
General of WOAH for a five-year term. She will succeed Dr Monique Eloit's
nine-year tenure at the Organisation.
1.3. The General Session included the adoption of administrative and
technical resolutions as well as elections in governing bodies of the
Organisation, including the election of members to the four WOAH Specialist
Commissions that oversee the development of new and revised WOAH International
Standards. The General Session also included an innovative interactive Forum
where participants got to experience future scenarios and reflect on the past,
present and future WOAH.
1.4. In addition, side events and exhibition stands took place before and
after the daily plenary sessions and provided opportunities for participants to
interact with experts on a number of specific initiatives relevant to WOAH and
its missions.
1.5. The Report of the 91st General Session and adopted
Resolutions are available on the WOAH
website.
1.1 Standard setting activities at the 91st General Session
1.6. The Assembly adopted new and revised texts in the WOAH International
Standards: the Terrestrial Animal Health
Code (Terrestrial Code),
the Aquatic Animal Health Code (Aquatic Code), the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for
Terrestrial Animals (Terrestrial
Manual), and the Manual of
Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals (Aquatic Manual).
1.7. Information regarding all new and revised texts adopted for
inclusion in the 2024 editions of the WOAH International standards are
available in the report of the 91st General Session.
1.8. More details about some of new and revised texts adopted in the WOAH
Standards of interest to the SPS Committee are noted below.
1.1.1 Terrestrial Animal Health Code
1.9. Three new and 11 revised chapters, and three new and five revised
glossary definitions were adopted in the Terrestrial
Code:
·_
Chapter 4.6.
General hygiene in semen collection and processing centres – had undergone a
comprehensive revision to ensure it reflected current scientific evidence and
best practice;
·_
Chapter 4.7.
Collection and processing of bovine, small ruminant and porcine semen – was
revised to remove Articles 4.7.5., 4.7.6., and 4.7.7. so there would not be
inconsistencies with the revised Chapter 4.6.;
·_
Chapter 6.10.
Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine –
has undergone a comprehensive revision to extend measures to non-food producing
animals, strengthen the consideration of environmental impact of antimicrobial
use, clarify the content and scope of a National Action Plan, and clarify the
responsibilities and actions for all concerned actors;
·_
Chapter 7.5.
Slaughter of animals – underwent a comprehensive revision to resolve
inconsistencies in the methods used in the slaughter of animals and the killing
of animals for disease control measures, ensure that the text reflects current
scientific knowledge, and update the structure of the chapter;
·_
Chapter 8.8.
Infection with foot and mouth disease virus – underwent a comprehensive
revision to address risk mitigation for import of animals and products,
surveillance recommended for recognition of disease freedom, and consistency
and clarity throughout the chapter;
·_
Chapter 1.11.
Application for official recognition by WOAH of free status for foot and mouth
disease – was revised to ensure alignment with amendments proposed for the
revised Chapter 8.8.;
·_
Chapter 8.16.
Infection with Rift valley fever virus – was revised to align with changes to
Chapter 3.1.19. of the Terrestrial Manual
which was adopted in 2023;
·_
Chapter 8.18.
Infection with Trichinella spp. –
was revised to align with changes to Chapter 3.1.22. of the Terrestrial Manual which was adopted in
2023;
·_
Chapter 13.2.
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease – was revised to include a new definition of its
occurrence;
·_
Chapter 15.1.
Infection with African swine fever virus – was revised to amend the list of
safe commodities for trade;
·_
Chapter 1.3.
Diseases, infections and infestations listed by WOAH – was updated to reorder
the articles and to amend the animal categories to align with the order used in
sections of Volume II of the Terrestrial
Code; to reorder the diseases in each article in alphabetical order;
and to align the disease names with the title of the corresponding
disease-specific chapter;
·_
A new Chapter
8.X. Infection with Coxiella burnetti
(Q fever) was developed to include a single article for general provisions,
including a definition of its occurrence;
·_
A new Chapter
8.Z. Infection with Trypanosoma evansi
was developed to address surra of multiple species including equids;
·_
A new Chapter
16.Z Infection with Camelpox virus was developed to include a single article
for the general provisions, including a definition of its occurrence.
1.10. Details of texts adopted are provided in Resolution
No. 30 Amendments to the Terrestrial
Code.
1.11. The online version of the 32nd edition (2024) of the Terrestrial Code will be available by
August 2024 (in English, French and Spanish) on the WOAH public website.
1.1.2 Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals
1.12. The Biological Standards Commission developed evidence-based
criteria to be applied when deciding to maintain a chapter in the Terrestrial Manual if it applies to a
non-listed disease. They applied these criteria to the current 26
non-listed disease chapters, and determined that 14 of these chapters will be
removed from the next edition of the Terrestrial
Manual.
1.13. Twelve revised chapters were adopted in the Terrestrial Manual:
·_
Chapter 1.1.5.
Quality management in veterinary testing laboratories – underwent an extensive
revision including updated references, technical updates and updating the
strategic planning section;
·_
Chapter 1.1.9.
Tests for sterility and freedom from contamination of biological materials
intended for veterinary use – underwent extensive revision of references,
testing approaches and protocol examples;
·_
Chapter 2.2.4.
Measurement uncertainty – underwent extensive revisions to clarify methods and
add examples;
·_
Chapter 2.2.6.
Selection and use of reference samples and panels – underwent moderate
revisions to update cross references and add additional references;
·_
Chapter 3.1.5.
Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever – underwent moderate revisions to align with
the case definition and change the rating of real-time PCR;
·_
Chapter 3.3.6.
Avian tuberculosis (section C only) – underwent extensive revisions to update
nomenclature and classification, review the ratings of some of the test methods
available, add a section on the stained antigen test, update the section on
production and minimum requirements for tuberculin production, update the list
of references. The information in this chapter will be moved to Chapter 3.1.14
Mammalian tuberculosis as avian tuberculosis is not a listed disease;
·_
Chapter 3.4.1.
Bovine anaplasmosis – underwent extensive revisions to update the introduction,
update the section on PCR, review the ratings of some of the tests available,
clarify usage of the complement fixation test, and include justification tables
for the ratings of the tests;
·_
Chapter 3.4.7.
Bovine viral diarrhoea – underwent moderate revisions to update the taxonomy,
review the ratings of some of the tests, and develop justification tables for
the ratings of the tests;
·_
Chapter 3.4.12.
Lumpy skin disease – underwent extensive revisions to thoroughly update the
requirements for vaccines;
·_
Chapter 3.6.9.
Equine rhinopneumonitis (infection with Varicellovirus
equidalpha1) – underwent extensive revisions to update the taxonomy,
remove information on EHV4, update the diagnostic techniques, and develop
justification tables for the ratings of tests;
·_
Chapter 3.8.1.
Border disease – underwent minor update of the taxonomy;
·_
Chapter 3.8.12.
Sheep pox and goat pox – underwent moderate revision to add test methods,
update the section on nucleic acid recognition method.
1.14. Details of texts adopted are provided in Resolution
No. 31 Amendments to the Terrestrial
Manual.
1.15. The online version of the 13th edition (2024) of the Terrestrial Manual will be available
by August 2024 (in English) and October 2024 (in Spanish) on the WOAH public
website.
1.1.3 Aquatic Animal Health Code
1.16. 28 revised chapters in the Aquatic
Code were adopted:
·_
Chapter 1.1.
Notification of disease and provision of epidemiological information – was
revised to remove Article 1.1.5. as those provisions are now address in the
revised Chapter 1.4.;
·_
Chapter 1.3.
Diseases listed by WOAH – was revised to amend the name of 'infection with red
seabream iridiovirus' to 'infection with Megalocytivirus
pagrus 1'. This now includes all three genogroups of the virus;
·_
Chapter 8.1.
Infection with Batrachochytrium
dendrobatidis – was revised to amend Article 8.1.3. to align with
the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 8.2.
Infection with Batrachochytrium
salmandrivorans – was revised to amend Article 8.2.3. to align with
the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 8.3.
Infection with Ranavirus species
– was revised to amend Article 8.3.3. to align with the new approach to
time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 9.3.
Infection with decapod iridescent virus 1 – was revised to amend Article 9.3.3.
to align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe
commodities, and in Article 9.3.2. the list of susceptible species was amended;
·_
Chapter 9.4.
Infection with Hepatobacter penaei
(Necrotising hepatopancreatitis) – was revised to amend Article 9.4.3. to align
with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 9.6.
Infection with infections myonecrosis virus – was revised to amend Article
9.6.3. to align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe
commodities;
·_
Chapter 9.7.
Infection with Macrobrachium rosenbergii
nodavirus – was revised to amend Article 9.7.3. to align with the new approach
to time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 9.8.
Infection with Taura syndrome virus – was revised to amend Article 9.8.3. to
align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.1.
Infection with epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus – was revised to amend
Article 10.1.3. to align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments
for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.2.
Infection with Aphanomyces invadens
(Epizootic ulcerative syndrome) – was revised to amend Article 10.2.3. to align
with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.3.
Infection with Gyrodactylus salaris
– was revised to amend Article 10.3.3. to align with the new approach to
time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.4.
Infection with infectious salmon anaemia virus – was revised to amend Article 10.4.3.
to align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe
commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.5.
Infection with salmonid alphavirus – was revised to amend Article 10.5.3. to
align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.6
Infection with infectious haematopoetic necrosis virus – was revised to amend
Article 10.6.3. to align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments
for safe commodities. Article 10.6.2. was reformatted to list the susceptible
species in a table;
·_
Chapter 10.7.
Infection with koi herpesvirus – was revised to amend Article 10.7.3. to align
with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.8.
Infection with red sea bream iridovirus – was revised to amend Article 10.8.3.
to align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe
commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.9.
Infection with spring viraemia of carp virus – was revised to amend Article 10.9.3.
to align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe
commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.10.
Infection with viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus – was revised to amend
Article 10.10.3. to align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments
for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 10.11.
Infection with tilapia lake virus – was revised to amend Article 10.11.3. to
align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe
commodities. In Article 10.11.2., the list of susceptible species was
amended;
·_
Chapter 11.1.
Infection with abalone herpesvirus – was revised to amend Article 11.1.3. to
align with the new approach to time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 11.2.
Infection with Bonamia exitiosa –
was revised to amend Article 11.2.3. to align with the new approach to
time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 11.3.
Infection with Bonamia osteae –
was revised to amend Article 11.3.3. to align with the new approach to
time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 11.4.
Infection with Marteilia refringens
– was revised to amend Article 11.4.3. to align with the new approach to
time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 11.5.
Infection with Perkinsus marinus
– was revised to amend Article 11.5.3. to align with the new approach to
time/temperature treatments for safe commodities. Article 11.5.1. was
amended to ensure consistency with other mollusc disease-specific chapters, and
in Article 11.5.2.the list of susceptible species was amended;
·_
Chapter 11.6.
Infection with Perkinsus olseni –
was revised to amend Article 11.6.3. to align with the new approach to
time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Chapter 11.7.
Infection with Xenohaliotis califoriensis
– was revised to amend Article 11.7.3. to align with the new approach to
time/temperature treatments for safe commodities;
·_
Model Articles
X.X.5. 'Country free from infection with [Pathogen X]' and X.X.6. 'Zone free
from infection with [Pathogen X]' were amended to better describe the actions
that should be achieved prior to declaring a new free zone outside infected and
protection zones and to ensure consistency between relevant articles for
country and zone freedom in all disease-specific chapters of the Aquatic Code.
1.17. Details of texts adopted are provided in Resolution
No. 28 Amendments to the Aquatic Code.
1.18. The online version of the 26th edition (2024) of the Aquatic Code will be available by
August 2024 (in English, French and Spanish) on the WOAH public website.
1.1.4 Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals
1.19. One new and 8 revised chapters of the Aquatic Manual were adopted:
·_
Chapter 2.2.0.
General information (diseases of crustaceans) – had a comprehensive revision to
provide updated information;
·_
Chapter 2.2.2.
Infection with Aphanomyces astaci
(crayfish plague) – had a comprehensive revision, including reformatting to
align with the new disease chapter template;
·_
Chapter 2.2.6.
Infection with Macrobrachium rosenbergii
nodavirus (white tail disease) – had a comprehensive revision,
including reformatting to align with the new disease chapter template;
·_
Chapter 2.2.9.
Infection with yellow head virus genotype 1 – had a comprehensive revision,
including reformatting to align with the new disease chapter template;
·_
A new Chapter
2.2.X. Infection with decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1) was added following the
listing of Infection with DIV1 in the Aquatic
Code in 2021;
·_
Chapter 2.4.0.
General information: diseases of molluscs – had a comprehensive revision;
·_
Chapter 2.4.1.
Infection with abalone herpesvirus – had a comprehensive revision, including
reformatting to align with the new disease chapter template;
·_
Chapter 2.4.4.
Infection with Marteilia refringens
– had a comprehensive revision, including reformatting to align with the new
disease chapter template.
1.20. Details of texts adopted are provided in Resolution
No. 29 Amendments to the Aquatic Manual.
1.21. The online version of the 11th edition (2024) of the Aquatic Manual will be available by
August 2024 (in English) and October 2024 (in Spanish) on the WOAH public
website.
1.2 WOAH official recognition of animal health status and control
programmes of members
1.22. WOAH members 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).
1.23. At the 91st General Session, five countries were
recognised as having new official animal health status:
·_
Azerbaijan was
recognised free of PPR;
·_
The Czech
Republic was recognized free of CBPP;
·_
Egypt was
recognized free of AHS;
·_
Lichtenstein was
recognized as a country free of FMD where vaccination is not practised;
·_
Norway was
recognised free of CBPP.
1.24. The full
list of countries and their recognised status for AHS, BSE, CBPP, CSF, FMD, and
PPR can be accessed online the WOAH public website.
1.3 2024 General Session Forum
1.25. The Forum served as a platform for stakeholders to examine the
evolving landscape of animal health and welfare, with a particular focus on
WOAH's role and readiness for the future. Over the decades, WOAH has expanded
its scope beyond livestock to address emerging challenges such as wildlife
health, antimicrobial resistance and animal welfare. However, as the
Organisation confronts new influences, such as changing climates and
technological advancements, questions arise about its adaptability and
preparedness for the challenges ahead. The Forum took place over three sessions.
A panel discussion is session 1 included members of WOAH's Council and representatives
from the International Veterinary Students Association. Interactive breakout
rooms during session 2 allowed stakeholders to examine the evolving
landscape of animal health and welfare, with a particular focus on WOAH's role
and readiness for the future.
1.26. The Forum highlighted the imperative for WOAH to evolve alongside
the dynamic environment it serves, emphasizing the need for resilience and
adaptability in governance mechanisms. By reflecting on past achievements,
current challenges and anticipated changes, participants aimed to ensure that
WOAH remains agile and responsive to emerging threats and opportunities in
animal health and welfare.
1.27. As the Forum concluded, it left a clear mandate for WOAH to embrace
change and proactively revise its foundational documents to align with future
needs. Dr Susana Pombo, Vice President of the Council and Delegate of Portugal,
closed the Forum and indicated that a report on key insights for each of the
sessions along with the scenarios used at the Forum and the long-form format of
the scenarios created during the 100th Anniversary Participatory
Foresight Project would be made available on the WOAH website. Dr Pombo then
referred to draft Resolution
No. 12 Revision of the WOAH Basic Texts, underlining that the Resolution
had been drafted by, and agreed to, by the Council during its meeting in March
2024. This resolution was later adopted unanimously by the Assembly. By
fostering a participatory environment and encouraging diverse perspectives, the
Forum underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping WOAH's
future trajectory.
1.4 Global animal health situation
1.28. The Animal
Health Situation Worldwide focused on two areas. The first section provided
an update on the state of play of the World Animal Health Information System
(WAHIS) modernisation and of reporting by members. The second section
highlighted the importance of the data integration approach used to provide
updates on four key topics. These topics included infection with high
pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), African swine fever (ASF) virus, foot and
mouth disease (FMD) virus, and vector-borne diseases. Delegates and Focal
Points were thanked for their efforts in timely data sharing, as well as
experts and partners of WOAH for their instrumental contribution to risk
management.
__________