OIE Risk Classification for BSE
ANIMAL HEALTH - OIE RISK CLASSIFICATION FOR BSE
NCBA Staff Contact:
Dr. Elizabeth Parker, Chief Veterinarian
202-347-0228
eparker@beef.org
Summary
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Scientific Commission has formally classified the United States as a controlled risk country for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The International Committee of the OIE unanimously adopted the resolution on May 22, 2007, and recommended that Canada, Switzerland, Taipei-China, Chile, Brazil and the United States be recognized as having “controlled risk” status for BSE.
The controlled risk classification recognizes that U.S. regulatory controls are effective and that U.S fresh beef and beef products from cattle of all ages can be safely traded due to our interlocking safeguards. This provides strong support from an internationally recognized, standard-setting body that the science-based mitigation measures in place in the United States effectively protect animal health and food safety.
U.S. government officials will use this international validation to urge our trading partners to reopen export markets to the full spectrum of U.S. cattle and beef products.
Background
The Office of International Epizootics or OIE was created in January 1924 when 28 countries agreed to form an inter-governmental organization to provide guidance on animal health issues. There are now 167 member countries of the Paris-based organization.
OIE publishes health standards for international trade in animals and animal products in the form of two animal health codes, one for terrestrial animals and one for aquatic animals. The standards within both animal health codes are developed by OIE’s Specialist Commissions and then adopted by OIE member countries during the organization’s General Session each May.
The BSE chapter recommendations are intended to manage the human and animal health risks associated with the presence of BSE. At the 73rd annual OIE general session meeting, May 22-27, 2005, member countries reviewed and approved changes to the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) chapter of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code that affect how countries with BSE trade.
Simplifying Country BSE Risk Categories
Previously the BSE-related recommendations of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code recognized five categories of BSE risk: 1) BSE-free, 2) BSE provisionally free, 3) minimal risk, 4) moderate risk and 5) high risk. At the May 2005 meeting the Commission recommended, and member countries approved, a three-category system that simplifies the risk classification process. Now, the categories are 1) negligible risk, 2) controlled risk and 3) undetermined risk.
The “Negligible BSE Risk” distinction will apply to commodities from countries or zones that pose a negligible risk of transmitting the BSE agent as demonstrated by a risk assessment, the appropriate level of BSE surveillance and either: no cases, or only imported cases or cases no more recent than 7 years, of BSE; an existing education and reporting program; and a feed ban has been in place for at least eight years if an indigenous case or other risk factors exist.
The “Controlled BSE Risk” category describes commodities from a country or zones that pose a negligible risk of transmitting the BSE agent due to commodity-specific risk mitigation measures. The conditions for this category are similar except that controlled risk countries with indigenous BSE cases must demonstrate an education and reporting program, an effective feed ban and identify, track and destroy certain progeny and herd mates of the BSE-infected animal.
The OIE code recommends imports from Controlled BSE Risk countries resume under the condition that: it meets the requirements for controlled risk, live cattle selected for export are identified by a permanent identification system and the cattle selected for export are born after a feed ban was implemented (if the country has indigenous BSE cases).
In regards to products from controlled risk countries, OIE recommends the importing countries require: anti- and post-mortem inspections, the meat come from cattle that were not subject to air-injection stunning and that fresh meat and meat products not contain prohibited tissues or mechanically separated meat from the skull and vertebral column from cattle older than 30 months.
The cattle population of a country or zone poses an “Undetermined BSE Risk” if it cannot be demonstrated that it meets the requirements of another category.
Key Points
· The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) announced May 22nd its decision regarding Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) risk status during the 75th General Session of the International Committee meetings in Paris. The International Committee of the OIE unanimously recommended that Canada, Switzerland, Taipei-China, Chile, Brazil and the United States be recognized as having "controlled" risk status for BSE.
· The controlled risk classification recognizes that U.S. regulatory controls are effective and that U.S fresh beef and beef products from cattle of all ages can be safely traded due to our interlocking safeguards. This provides strong support from an internationally recognized, standard-setting body that the science-based mitigation measures in place in the United States effectively protect animal health and food safety.
· Eighteen countries still have an unjustified ban on U.S. beef. NCBA expects this OIE categorization to trigger the lifting of long-standing political barriers to our products in various international markets.