OIE activities in aquatic animal health

1. Ricardo Enriquez SDr med vet Secretary OIE Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission OIE activities in aquatic animal health Outlook (Aquatic Animals Commission meeting October 2008)

2. Outline • Diseases listed by OIE • Chapter proposed by adoption • OIE Aquatic Manual – delisted diseases • New Reference Laboratories • National Aquatic Local Point: Participation MC-Americas • On-going and new activities • Work plan 2008 - 2009

3. The following diseases of fish are listed by the OIE • - Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis • - Infectious haematopoietic necrosis • - Spring viraemia of carp • - Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia • - Infectious salmon anaemia • - Epizootic ulcerative syndrome • - Gyrodactylosis (Gyrodactylus salaris) • - Red sea bream iridoviral disease • - Koi herpesvirus disease.

4. The following diseases of molluscs are listed by the OIE: • - Infection with Bonamia ostreae • - Infection with Bonamia exitiosa • - Infection with Marteilia refringens • - Infection with Perkinsus marinus • - Infection with Perkinsus olseni • - Infection with Xenohaliotis californiensis • - Abalone herpes-like virus disease • - Infection with Terabrasabella heterouncinata.

5. Diseases listed by the OIE • The listing of the sabellid worm (Terebrasabella heterouncinata) will be proposed for adoption at the 77th General Session in May 2009 • Replacement of the name ‘AVM’ with ‘Abalone herpes-like virus disease’

6. The following diseases of crustaceans are listed by the OIE: • - White spot disease • - Yellowhead disease • - Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis • - Crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) • - Necrotising hepatopancreatitis2 • - Infectious myonecrosis • - White tail disease1 • - Milky haemolymph disease of spiny lobsters (Panulirus spp.)1

7. Diseases listed by the OIE The Aquatic Animals Commission endorsed the Crustacean ad hoc Group recommendations to: • i) De-list Tetrahedral baculovirosis (Baculovirus penaei) and Spherical baculovirosis (Penaeus monodon-type baculovirus); • ii) De-list Hepatopancreatic parvovirus disease, and Mourilyan virus disease (currently listed as under study); • iii) List Necrotising hepatopancreatitis (currently listed as under study); • iv) List Milky haemolymph disease of spiny lobsters (Panulirus spp.) as an emerging disease.

8. Diseases listed by the OIE • Crayfish plague Will be proposed for adoption at the 77th General Session in May 2009 • diseases in wild aquatic animal populations are more difficult to detect than in farmed populations, the self declaration of freedom should in general be based on historical freedom for at least 25 years or targeted surveillance for at least 5 years (compared to 10 years and 2 years as the default figures, respectively).

9. The following diseases of amphibians are listed by the OIE: • - Infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis • - Infection with ranavirus.

10. The table below summarises the Chapter updated that will be proposed to the OIE International Committee for adoption at the 77th General Session • Definitions (Ch.1.1.1.) • Diseases listed by the OIE (Ch.1.2.3.) • General obligations related to certification (Ch.1.3.1.) • Certification procedures (Ch 1.3.2) • Quality and Evaluation of Competent Authorities (Ch 1.4.3.) • Crayfish plague (Ch 2.3.7.) • Example Article X.X.X.3; X.X.X.9; X.X.X.12 • Necrotising hepatopancreatitis (Ch 2.3.X.) • Milky haemolymph disease of spiny lobsters (Panulirus spp.) (Ch 2.3.X.) • Model international aquatic animal health certificates • Criteria to assess the safety of aquatic animal commodities (X.X.X.) • Criteria to assess the safety of aquatic animal products destined for human consumption (X.X.X.) • Welfare of farmed fish during transport (App 3.4.2.) • Handling and disposal of carcasses and wastes of aquatic animals (App X.X.X.)

11. Aquatic Code – Disease chapters Article 3 (commodities) Article 2.1.4.3. Commodities 1. When authorising the importation or transit of the following commodities, the Competent Authorities should not require any SVC related conditions, regardless of the SVC status of the exporting country, zone or compartment: a) From the species referred to in Article 2.1.4.2. intended for any purpose: i) commodities treated in a manner that inactivates the disease agent e.g. leather made from fish skin, pasteurised products and some ready-to-eat meals; and fish oil and fish meal intended for use in feed; ii) biological samples preserved for diagnostic applications in such a manner as to inactivate the disease agent.

12. Article 2.1.4.12. Importation of aquatic animal products from a country, zone or compartment not declared free from spring viraemia of carp 1.The risk posed by the following products destined for human consumption from the species referred to in Article 2.1.4.2. which have been prepared and packaged for direct retail trade is considered negligible: i)eviscerated fish (chilled or frozen); ii)fillets or cutlets (chilled or frozen); iii)dried eviscerated fish (including air dried, flame dried and sun dried).; For these commodities Members may wish to consider introducing internal measures to prevent the commodity being used for any purpose other than for human consumption.

13. CRITERIA TO ASSESS THE SAFETY OF AQUATIC ANIMAL COMMODITIES IRRESPECTIVE OF COUNTRY DISEASE STATUS • CRITERIA TO ASSESS THE SAFETY OF AQUATIC ANIMAL PRODUCTS DESTINED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

14. WELFARE OF FARMED FISH DURING TRANSPORT • HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF CARCASSES AND WASTES OF AQUATIC ANIMALS Will be proposed for adoption at the 77th General Session in May 2009

15. Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals • Update on progress Sixth edition 2009 • De-listed diseases chapters on de-listed diseases in a separate section.

16. OIE-Reference laboratories • There are currently 27 OIE Reference Laboratories for aquatic animal diseases. • Under the guidance of an expert whose competence is recognised internationally, they function as centres of expertise and standardisation of diagnostic techniques. • As well, they may provide scientific and technical training for personnel from Member Countries, and coordinate scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other laboratories or organisations. Twin lab

17. New Reference laboratory • The Commission reviewed and recommended acceptance of the following application for OIE Reference Laboratory status: OIE Reference Laboratory for crayfish plague(Aphanomyces astaci): Finnish Food Safety Authority, Evira Kuopio, Neulaniementie 4, FIN-70210 Kuopio, FINLAND. Tel.: (+358) 2077.24962; Fax: (+358) 2077.24970; E-mail: satu.viljamaa-dirks@evira.fi; Designated Reference Expert: Dr Satu Viljamaa-Dirks

18. Reference Laboratories….. • Abalone viral mortality complex • Infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis • Infection with Ranavirus • Necrotising hepatopancreatitis • Milky haemolymph disease of spiny lobster • Sabellid worm (T. heterouncinata)

19. National Aquatic Focal Point MC Americas: 29 48 in 2007 app. 100 in 2008 MC Americas Comments October’07 report : 2 March’08 report : 3 October’08 report : 1

20. Terms of reference for national aquatic focal points • a) To establish a network of aquatic animal health experts within their country; • b) To establish and maintain a dialogue with the competent authority for aquatic animal health in their country, and to facilitate cooperation and communication among several authorities where responsibility is shared; • c) On behalf of the OIE Delegate of their country, to provide aquatic animal disease information to the OIE through WAHIS (immediate notifications and follow-up reports, six-monthly reports, and annual questionnaires);

21. Terms of reference for national aquatic focal points • d) To receive from the OIE Central Bureau the Aquatic Animals Commission meeting reports and conduct the in-country consultation process with aquatic animal health experts on draft text proposed in those reports; • e) To prepare for, and submit to, the OIE Delegate of their country comments on each of the Aquatic Animals Commission’s meeting reports, for the Delegate to submit to the OIE Central Bureau.

22. On-going and new activities • Harmonize OIE approaches to aquatic and terrestrial animal diseases • Evaluation of the Performance of Veterinary Services • New ad hoc Group on Safe Commodities derived from Aquatic Animals • Develop text on trade in aquatic animals vaccinated against listed diseases ,i.e. Infectious salmon anaemia and KHVD

23. Review of Aquatic Animals Commission mandate regarding food safety • Recommendations to cover the food safety implications of aquatic animals and aquatic animal products • aquatic animal feeds, traceability of aquatic animals and products, antimicrobial resistance, and biotechnology related issues.

24. Comments on this report’s Annexes III to XVI must reach OIE Headquarters by 6 February 2009 to be considered at the March 2009 meeting of the Aquatic Animals Commission.

25. AQUATIC ANIMALS COMMISSION WORK PLAN FOR 2009/2010

27. Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission World organisation for animal health 12 rue de prony 75017 Paris, France Tel: 33 (0)1 44 15 18 88 – Fax: 33 (0)1 42 67 09 87 Email: oie@oie.int www.oie.int www.oie.int/aac/eng/en_fdc.htm

29. Introduction to OIE Guidelines for the welfare of live aquatic animals • The AAC clarified that the scope of the guidelines is for transport, slaughter, and destruction for disease control purposes, and therefore there is no justification for inclusion of the ‘three Rs’ in the text. (reduction, refinement, replacement) • The AAC revised the proposed Introduction to clearly separate it into considerations, guiding principles, and a scientific basis for the guidelines.

30. Bienestar animal designa el modo en que un animal afronta las condiciones de su entorno. Un animal está en buenas condiciones de bienestar si (según indican pruebas científicas) está sano, cómodo, bien alimentado, en seguridad, puede expresar formas innatas de comportamiento y si no padece sensaciones desagradables de dolor, miedo o desasosiego. Las buenas condiciones de bienestar de los animales exigen que se prevengan sus enfermedades y se les administren tratamientos veterinarios; que se les proteja, maneje y alimente correctamente y que se les manipule y sacrifique de manera compasiva. El concepto de bienestar animal se refiere al estado del animal. La forma de tratar a un animal se designa con otros términos como cuidado de los animales, cría de animales o trato compasivo.

31. Animal welfare means how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives. An animal is in a good state of welfare if (as indicated by scientific evidence) it is healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express innate behaviour, and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear, and distress. Good animal welfare requires disease prevention and veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling and humane slaughter/killing. Animal welfare refers to the state of the animal; the treatment that an animal receives is covered by other terms such as animal care, animal husbandry, and humane treatment.

32. Introducción a las directrices para el bienestar de los peces de cultivo Artículo 3.4.1.1. Principios básicos 1 Considerando : • Que la utilización de peces para la pesca de extracción, la investigación y para recreo (por ejemplo, especies ornamentales y acuarios) es un factor importante del bienestar humano, y • Que existe una relación crítica entre la salud de los peces de cultivo y su bienestar, y • Que mejorando las condiciones de vida de los peces, se aumenta a menudo la productividad y se obtienen por consiguiente beneficios económicos.

33. Introducción a las directrices para el bienestar de los peces de cultivo 2. La OIE elaborará directrices sobre el bienestar de los peces de cultivo (especies ornamentales excluidas) durante el transporte, sacrificio y destrucción con fines sanitarios aplicando los siguientes principios: a El empleo de peces conlleva la responsabilidad ética de velar por su bienestar en la mayor medida posible. b La evaluación científica del bienestar de los peces de cultivo abarca una serie de elementos científicos y de juicios de valor que deben tomarse en consideración conjuntamente y el proceso de esta evaluación debe ser lo mas explícito posible.

34. Introducción a las directrices para el bienestar de los peces de cultivo Artículo 3.4.1.2. Principios científicos en que se fundan las directrices 1 Para garantizar el bienestar de los peces de cultivo se requiere, básicamente, recurrir a métodos de manipulación que sean apropiados a las características biológicas del animal, así como un entorno adaptado a sus necesidades 2 Las piscifactorías cultivan numerosas especies, con características biológicas diferentes. No resultaría práctico elaborar directrices específicas para cada una de ellas. Las presentes directrices de la OIE, por consiguiente, tratan del bienestar de los peces cultivados en general.

35. Introduction to OIE Guidelines for the welfare of live aquatic animals Article 3.4.1.1. • Guiding principles Considering that: 1. The use of fish in harvest or capture fisheries, in research and for recreation (eg ornamentals and aquaria), makes a major contribution to the wellbeing of people; and 2. There is a critical relationship between fish health and fish welfare; and 3. Improvements in farmed fish welfare can often improve productivity and hence lead to economic benefits.

36. Introduction to OIE Guidelines for the welfare of live aquatic animals 2 The OIE will develop guidelines for the welfare of farmed fish (excluding ornamental species) during transport, slaughter, and destruction for disease control purposes. In developing these, the following principles will apply: a. The use of fish carries with it an ethical responsibility to ensure the welfare of such animals to the greatest extent practicable. b. The scientific assessment of fish welfare involves both scientifically derived data and value-based assumptions that need to be considered together, and the process of making these assessments should be made as explicit as possible.

37. Introduction to OIE Guidelines for the welfare of live aquatic animals Article 3.4.1.2. • Scientific basis for guidelines • The basic requirements for the welfare of farmed fish include handling methods appropriate to the biological characteristics of the fish and a suitable environment to fulfill their needs. • There are many species of fish in farming systems and these have different biological characteristics. It is not practicable to develop specific guidelines for each of these species. These OIE guidelines therefore address the welfare of farmed fish at a general level.