World Organisation for Animal Health outlines international standards for invasive alien species to WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (link)

Geneva, 13 October 2006

Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
OIE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS RELATED TO INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES
Communication from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)

Document number: G/SPS/GEN/732 12 October 2006 (06-4909)

Full text
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The following communication, received on 11 October 2006, is being circulated at the request of the OIE.

Summary

1. Under the mandate decided by its 167 Member Countries, the OIE develops international standards, guidelines and recommendations for animal diseases and pathogens, including pathogens with zoonotic potential, which meet the criteria established by the OIE. This mandate does not cover invasive species that are unrelated to a disease or pathogen of animals (including zoonotic diseases). The OIE will however continue to be sensitive to the needs of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) by incorporating risk mitigation measures for potentially alien species if such species are linked to a specific OIE listed disease. The OIE will remind its Member Countries of the CBD's concerns in regard to the spread of invasive alien species and will encourage them to take relevant considerations into account when formulating veterinary certificates for international trade.. A few months ago, the OIE wrote to the CBD proposing an official cooperation agreement between the two inte! rnational organisations that would be submitted to the Member Countries of both organisations for endorsement and that would establish a technical cooperation between the CBD and the OIE on issues of common interests. The OIE stands ready to maintain close collaboration under an official agreement or less formal arrangements.

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