Health andConsumers

Health andConsumers

The EU coordination mechanism

Moritz Klemm, Animal Health Unit, Directorate for Veterinary and International affairs,

European CommissionOIE seminar for recently appointed Delegates,

Brussels 18-20 February 2014

Health andConsumers

Health andConsumers

Outline

The example of the EU:Why OIE Coordination in the EUResponsibilities in the EUProcedures for OIE coordination in the EUThe Example of other regionsPlanned capacity building activitiesConclusions

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Health andConsumers

Why OIE Coordination in the EU (1)

Gradual harmonisation of veterinary measures at EU level with transfer of competences to EU institutions (since 1964)Animal Disease Notification System (1982) Creation of the internal market (1992)Standing Committee on the Food Chain Animal Health SCoFCAH (2002)New EU Animal Health Strategy (2007-2013)

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Health andConsumers

Why OIE Coordination in the EU (2)

Importance of International Standards for EU:Harmonised EU legislation in the veterinary field (animal health; animal welfare; veterinary public health)Relevant for intra-EU trade (internal market)Relevant for import and export policiesGrowing global trade and possible disputes

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Health andConsumers

Why OIE Coordination in the EU (3)

Principles of the new EU Animal Health Strategy:“Prevention is better than cure”PartnershipPrioritisation & categorisation of diseasesModern legal frameworkImproved convergence with OIE standards

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Health andConsumers

Responsibilities in the EU (1)

Definition, elaboration, harmonisation of the health and trade policies : EU, under European Commission initiative28 EU Member States are Members of the OIEEuropean Commission has observer status since 2004 & concluded MoU with OIE in 2011Close cooperation & coordination with EFTA & candidate countries

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Health andConsumers

Responsibilities in the EU (2)

Coordination at different levels:Experts: SCoFCAH and Working Groups for rulesChief Veterinary Officers: permanent Council working party and ad hoc meetings for strategyResult: at the OIE, the EU speaks with one voice “on behalf of the 28 Member States of the EU”

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Health andConsumers

Procedures for OIE coordination (1)

Example: OIE Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Codes(Similar procedure in place for the OIE Manuals)1. OIE sends reports of the meetings of the Code Commission / Aquatic Animals Commission to OIE Member Countries with copy to the European Commission

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Health andConsumers

Procedures for OIE coordination (2)

2. DG SANCO elaborates first draft EU comments or positions and sends them to MSs3. A specific “OIE Coordination Working Group” of experts meets in Brussels (EC & MSs + EFTA / candidate countries = “Commission working group”), and further elaborates draft EU comments

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Health andConsumers

Procedures for OIE coordination (3)

4. Draft is proposed to CVOs, which discuss and validate EU written comments or positions and speaking notes at Council working party5. Possible liaison with other countries or regions6. The agreed written comments or positions are sent to the OIE

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Health andConsumers

Procedures for OIE coordination (4)

7. And published on the DG SANCO website: http://ec.europa.eu/food/international/organisations/oie_en.htm8. At the annual OIE General Session, speaking notes are split between the EU Presidency and other CVOs9. On the spot coordination meetings of EU CVOs are held at the GS in Paris (+ EFTA countries)

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Health andConsumers

Google: EU position OIE

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Health andConsumers

OIE coordination – other Commission involvement

OIE events and meetings (General Session; Regional Commission Europe; Global conferences & Regional workshops; GF-TADs)Questionnaires for Technical ItemsChoice of EU experts in OIE specialised commissions, and working groups and ad hoc groupsMissions (PVS pathway; CVET – CMC-AH)

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Health andConsumers

Examples from other Regions / groups of countries

Africa: Positions delivered "on behalf of the 52 African OIE Member countries"AU-IBAR PAN-SPSO project (2008-2012 and 2012-2014)QUADS: coordination meetings between AUS, CAN, NZ, USAEurope: 53 OIE member countries Balkans: TAIEX seminar in February 2013

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Health andConsumers

Planned Capacity building activities

New BTSF project on Strengthening participation in International Standard Setting Bodies (Codex, OIE and IPPC) 2 workshops on OIE: in Russian Federation (for East Europe, South Caucasus & Central Asia; Oct. 2014) and

in Tunisia (Southern Mediterranean countries coverning Northern Africa and part of Middle East Region; March 2015)

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Health andConsumers

Conclusions

Increasing importance of International Standards for tradeActive participation in International Standard SettingCoordination of positions increases influenceImpact on implementation of standardsInvitation for sub-regional and regional cooperation

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Health andConsumers

Thank you for your attention

moritz.klemm[a]ec.europa.eu