Concensus on international animal health standards workshop

IBAR conducted a consultative workshop for African Chef Veterinary Officers under the programme PAN-SPSO in Nairobi 5 - 7 May 2009. Participants of the workshop were the African Chief Veterinary Officers, the Regional Economic Communities recognised by the African Union, the African Union Commission, the European Community, World Animal Health Organization (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Objective of the workshop
The World Animal Health Organization (OIE) has been mandated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish international standards in animal health.

Participation of African nations in the standard setting process in usually weak due of insufficient capacities and lack of a coordinated and harmonized stand. International standards are therefore mainly set by developed countries and often form serious barriers to trade for African countries.

The objective of this first workshop of African Chief Veterinary Officers is to build concensus for African delegates to the OIE general session in late May 2009. Based on a scientific approach and considering the peculiarities of Africa, this concensus will ensure that Africa speaks with one voice.

The opening ceremony was followed by a statement by IBAR on the Novel Influenza A H1N1 and adoption of a common declaration of African CVOs on that matter.

Workshop agenda EN
Workshop agenda FR

Minutes EN
Minutes FR

List of participants

Presentations

AU/IBAR

PAN-SPSO project profile
Proposed mechanism for coordination of Africa’s position
Status of animal disease reporting to AU/IBAR
Update on H1N1 Influenza outbreak

OIE

Objectives, structure and decision-making process of the OIE
Rights and responsibilities of national delegates and focal points

Working document

Amendments in standards to be proposed by the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission EN
Amendments in standards to be proposed by the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission FR

Resolutions EN
Resolutions FR

Influenza A H1N1 advisory EN
Influenza A H1N1 advisory FR