Managing the risks of disease transmission through trade: a commodities-based approach?

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• International Trade Standards
• Animal Disease Control

Background:

• The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), established in 1924, develops global standards for animal health to ensure safe international trade.
• Protocols for recognizing disease-free status facilitate trade in animals and animal products.
• Current options include trade from disease-free zones/compartments and trade in safe commodities, even with existing diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the reluctance of OIE Member Countries to trade animal commodities from regions with identified diseases.
• To highlight the underutilization of scientifically based risk management standards in international animal product trade.
• To advocate for the application of OIE's Terrestrial Animal Health Code standards to update trade policies.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existing OIE protocols for disease-free status recognition.
• Review of trade policies and practices among OIE Member Countries.
• Examination of case examples illustrating trade reluctance despite scientific standards.

Main Results:

• While disease-free country/zone recognition is integrated into policies, a significant reluctance persists in trading commodities from infected countries.
• Scientifically based risk management standards, though available, are not consistently applied to overcome trade barriers.
• Outdated policies may contribute to this reluctance, hindering the full utilization of OIE's risk management framework.

Conclusions:

• There is a need to address the persistent reluctance in international trade of animal commodities from disease-affected regions.
• Implementing and adhering to the OIE's Terrestrial Animal Health Code standards can facilitate scientifically sound risk management.
• Updating existing trade policies based on OIE standards is crucial for promoting safer and more inclusive global animal product trade.