DRAFT REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE OIE REGIONAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA, THE FAR EAST AND OCEANIA (Paris, 20 May 2003)
The OIE Regional Commission for Asia, the Far East and Oceania met on 20 May 2003 at the Salon Hoche, near the OIE headquarters, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The meeting was attended by 59 Delegates and observers from 20 OIE Member Countries, 2 observer countries and representatives from 3 international or regional organisations, as follows:
Countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea (Rep. of), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taipei China, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam
Observers: France, Brunei, and the OIE Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific and the Coordinator of the South-East Asia Foot and Mouth Disease Campaign (SEAFMD).
International organisations: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, SEAFDEC1 and WHO2.
The meeting was chaired by Dr J. Gardner Murray (Australia), President of the Commission.
- Adoption of the Agenda
The Agenda given at Appendix I was adopted.
- Outstanding contributions of certain OIE Member Countries
Dr O'Neil reported that the issues of outstanding contributions and low rates of contribution from a number of countries are of concern to the Administrative Commission. These issues are expected to be discussed on Friday, and Dr O'Neil encouraged all countries to pay contributions promptly and review the level of their contributions.
- Proposal of Technical Items to be included in the Agenda of the 73rd General Session of the OIE International Committee to be held in May 2005
The Commission proposed the following Technical Items:
- Use of information systems to assist in emergency management preparedness and response.
- Achieving consistency in standards under the SPS Agreement.
- Proposed candidates for the election of the Regional Commission, the Administrative Commission and the Specialist Commissions
Regional Commission for Asia, the Far East and Oceania
President: Dr J. Gardner Murray (Australia)
Vice-President: Dr Shubh N. Mahato (Nepal)
Vice-President: Dr Jose Q. Molina (Philippines)
Secretary General: Dr Barry O'Neil (New Zealand)
Administrative Commission
Dr Barry O'Neil (New Zealand)
Dr Jose Q. Molina (Philippines)
Dr Watson H. T. Sung (Taipei China)
International Animal Health Code Commission
Prof. Shri P.K. Uppal (India)
Dr Stuart Mac Diarmid (New Zealand), Secretary General
Foot and Mouth Disease and Other Epizootics Commission
Dr Kenichi Sakamoto (Japan)
Prof. Shri P.K. Uppal (India)
Standards Commission
Dr M Jeggo (Australia)
Fish Diseases Commission
Dr Eva-Maria Bernoth (Australia), President
Dr Ponaya (India)
- Preparation of the 23rd Conference of the OIE Regional Commission for Asia, the Far East and Oceania
The Delegate of New Caledonia, Dr Christian Desoutter, gave a short presentation on the preparation of the 23rd Conference of the OIE Regional Commission, which will be held in Noumea from 25 to 28 November 2003. The following Technical Items for the conference will be addressed:
- Animal carcass disposal methods (including rendering) in animal disease outbreaks (speaker: Dr Norman G. Wills)
- Update on developments in aquatic animal diseases (speaker: Dr Eva-Maria Bernoth)
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community advised that they will support the attendance of selected Pacific non-member countries as observers. These observer countries will be invited to the meeting by the Government of New Caledonia.
- Report on the activities of the OIE Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific
Dr Teruhide Fujita, Coordinator for the Regional Representation, presented the report of his activities, which was distributed to the participants.
India raised concerns about notifications from countries on BSE status, which have implications for trade. It was agreed that this matter could be raised in the General Session and that the Regional Commission ask the Administrative Commission to consider the policy issues relating to BSE classification and trade. The Regional Commission supported the concept of one international standard elaborated by the OIE.
The meeting acknowledged the work of Dr Fujita, and the ongoing support from the Japanese Government.
- Report on the activities of the Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme in South-East Asia in 2002-2003
Dr John Edwards, Coordinator of the SEAFMD Campaign, reported on the FMD control programme, which was distributed to the participants.
The meeting supported six recommendations:
- Note the report on progress with the SEAFMD Campaign.
- Refer the summary and recommendations from the 9th Sub-Commission to the OIE International Committee for endorsement.
- Endorse the proposal for transition of management for the SEAFMD Campaign to ASEAN responsibility at the end of Phase II (November 2004).
- Agree that the OIE maintain and negotiate funding for the OIE Sub-Commission for FMD in South-East Asia and continue to play a technical role in the new arrangement.
- Report on progress with the proposal to increase the OIE levy for SEAFMD members by 10%.
- Agree to the Terms of Reference for the Mid-Term Evaluation of the SEAFMD Campaign.
The meeting acknowledged with acclamation the work of Dr Wantanee and Dr Benigno in support of the SEAFMD programme.
- Regional Commission activities
Dr J. Gardner Murray, President of the Regional Commission, presented the activities of the Regional Commission for the period 2002-2003.
The report was distributed to all the participants.
- Other matters
2005 Regional Conference
India volunteered to consider hosting the Regional Conference in 2005.
South-East Asian Fisheries Development Centre
Mr Okamoto reported on the work of the South-East Asian Fisheries Development Centre.
Administrative Commission
Dr O'Neil reported on the work of the Administrative Commission during 2002/2003. He recommended that the opportunity of the 2003 Conference in New Caledonia be used to develop regional input to the OIE Strategic Plan scheduled to be agreed by the International Committee in 2005. He alerted Delegates that there are 30 resolutions for consideration in the General Session this year, including resolutions on the OIE role in test validation, BSE, and participation in the OIE by the Peoples' Republic of China. Technical items for consideration this year that have already engendered much discussion include the chapters on FMD, BSE and AI.
Venue
India recommended the noticeable improvement in meeting room facilities for the Regional Commission meeting this year. General concern was expressed at the crowded seating arrangements for the General Session being held in the Salons Hoche this year, with a recommendation that the venue for the large General Session meeting be reconsidered.
Japan BSE
Dr Toshikazu Ijichi presented an update on BSE cases in Japan and the control actions taken. The meeting closed at 11:00 a.m.
- SEAFDEC = South-East Asian Fisheries Development Centre
- WHO = World Health Organization
Appendix I
MEETING OF THE OIE REGIONAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA, THE FAR EAST AND OCEANIA
Paris, 20 May 2003
Agenda
- Adoption of the Agenda
- Outstanding contributions of certain OIE Member Countries
- Proposal of the second technical item to be included in the Agenda of the 73rd General Session of the International Committee to be held in May 2005 (see "Technical items proposed to the International Committee or to Regional Commissions since 1998")
- Proposal of candidates for the election of the Regional Commission, the Administrative Commission and the Specialist Commissions
- Preparation of candidates for the election of the Regional Commission for Asia, the Far East and Oceania to be held in Noumea (New Caledonia), from 25 to 28 November 2003
- Report of the OIE Representation for Asia and the Pacific (activities and work programme)
- Report on the activities of the Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme in South-East Asia in 2002-2003
- Regional Commission activities
- Other matters