AVIAN FLU: WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR ANIMAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PARIS 000217

SIPDIS

FROM USMISSION UNESCO

STATE FOR IO/EDA SHARON KOTOK, IO/T AMY BRIDGMAN
IO/UNESCO KEVIN PILZ, OES HAROLD FOSTER, BARRIE RIPIN,
OES/STAS ANDREW W. REYNOLDS, OES/IHA JOHN S. BLODGETT, G
STATE FOR NSC GENE WHITNEY
STATE FOR NSF INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
STATE FOR USDA PETER FERNANDEZ, RON DEHAVEN, AND MICHAEL

J. DAVID
STATE FOR USAID DENNIS CARROLL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID TBIO SOCI SENV TSPL KSCA EAGR OIE
SUBJECT: AVIAN FLU: WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR ANIMAL
HEALTH DG OUTLINES PLANS TO COUNTER THREAT IN ADVANCE OF
JANUARY 17-18 BEIJING PLEDGE CONFERENCE



1. Summary: In Advance of the January 17-18 International
Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza, The
Director General of the World Organization for Animal
Health (OIE) is pleased with the level of cooperation
among the various international organizations leading
this effort (World bank, FAO, WHO). OIE Director General
Dr. Bernard Vallat also expressed satisfaction that U/S
Dobriansky consulted with him in September 2005 on USG
efforts. Vallat reported that the work of his
organization had informed proposals that the World Bank
will table for consideration by donors in Beijing. He
underlined his organization's willingness to continue to
take a leading role in enhancing mechanisms to improve
veterinary services at the global and regional levels.
Vallat stressed that sustainability and capacity building
will be key to countering avian flu and to averting
future crises, as is the case in current international
efforts to establish a tsunami mitigation network.
Vallat noted that in addition to the threat posed to
human life, animal diseases (epizooties) also pose a
sometimes devastating, though less well-publicized,
threat to the livelihood of many rural poor.


2. In addition, Vallat stressed his organization's work
in countering the threat of bio-terrorism, including with
the Ames laboratory. Vallat described working relations
with the USG good overall, expressing satisfaction with
the OIE's role in providing a scientific basis for
resolving potential trade disputes, stemming from its WTO
mandate. He also highlighted other potential areas of
U.S. engagement (paras 7-8). End Summary.

In Beijing run-up, OIE posed to work globally, regionally


3. USUNESCO Science Officer met with World Organization
for Animal Health (OIE) Director Bernard Vallat to
preview the OIE's role at the January 17-18 Beijing
pledging conference. USDA secondee Alejandro Thiermann
also attended the meeting. On avian flu, Vallat
reported, the World Bank is taking the lead in
coordinating potential donors. He said that the Bank
would table detailed proposals, informed by the work of
the OIE. The price tag will total approximately 1
billion USD, half of that going to animal health (mainly
control),half to human and public health (mainly
prevention and preparation).


4. Vallat said that international efforts to counter
avian influenza need to be organized on three levels. At
the global level, there should be a coordination
mechanism (with the participation of international
organizations, funding agencies and private sector
players) to promote good governance mechanisms for
veterinary health policies. This would entail working
with stakeholders to define priorities for governance,
standards, capacity building and training, with a focus
on sustainability. A global approach is necessary,
because inadequate veterinary service standards
prevailing in any single country now pose a threat to
all.


5. At the regional level, what is needed are "mirror
structures" that could be operated out of the OIE's eight
existing regional offices (that participate in a OIE/FAO/
WHO partnership). These regional structures would set up
"Quality Centers" to provide technical support to member
states and evaluate national projects. These regional
structures would adapt "input" from the global level to
regional needs. They would promote appropriate
governance models, implement capacity building programs,
and provide technical support to projects to improve
national veterinary services. A specialized team would
organize seminars at the regional level including both
developed and developing countries. For many years,
Vallat reported, the OIE has worked to enhance capacity
building in all regions -- working with national
representatives and delegations - to improve local
knowledge, for example organizing 6-7 seminars annually
in each region. Other collaborative efforts focus on
harmonization of policies. Thanks to recent health
crises, these efforts have gained more recognition.


6. At the national level, Vallat explained that the OIE
has developed standards associated with the quality of
governance and public policy; this is in accordance with
WHO goals to manage public health issues according to
scientific standards. These standards are key to
fighting avian flu. As of now, more than 100 developing
countries cannot comply with standards designed to detect
and control disease. Up until now, it has not been easy
to interest the donor community in these efforts,
because they have not been perceived as "demand-driven."
Capacity building to improve the ability of countries to
control diseases -- including vulnerability assessments
of national veterinary services - is essential. Vallat
observed that on-site staff training is a priority in
some countries, as is improving national legislation, and
assessing implementation of existing legislation. (Note:
The OIE works in the context of the Standards and Trade
Development Facility, established in 2002 in order to
assist developing countries in meeting their WTO-SPS
agreement obligations. THE WTO, FAO, and WHO also
partner in this effort. End Note).


7. Vallat said that although there are many
international organizations involved in current efforts
to counter avian flu - including the World Bank, the WHO,
the FAO -- the various players had succeeded in arriving
at a common position and ongoing dialogue in the run-up
to Beijing. At the November 7-9 Geneva Meeting on Avian
Influenza, the OIE succeeded in gaining recognition of
the importance of good governance, adequate veterinary
standards, and effective legislation and administrative
practices, as well as technical competence. Even before
the current outbreak of avian flu, West Nile Disease and
SARS taught the international community that if
infrastructure is not strengthened, we will not be able
to detect or prepare for future crises. Vallat noted
increased interest in animal diseases due to their
potential impact on public health, but stressed that
these diseases also have a sometimes devastating impact
on the livelihood of the rural poor. He seized Science
Officer's analogy that efforts to put in place measures
to counter avian flu and future crises are similar to
current efforts to establish an international tsunami
mitigation system: the challenge is to set up suitable
infrastructure before a catastrophe takes place.

IOE-USG "Harmonization" on Avian Influenza is Positive


8. Vallat expressed appreciation at the fact that U/S
Dobriansky called him in September 2005 to "harmonize"
the communication and substance of USG measures to
counter avian influenza. Overall, Vallat described the
U.S. role within the OIE as positive, highlighting the
fact that Amcit Alejandro Thiermann is president of the
most important commission of the OIE - of the
international animal health code -- and acts as his
special advisor. Vallat expressed satisfaction that
OIE's science-based standards were useful in resolving
trade disputes between the U.S. and Canada and Japan.


9. Vallat said that he faces only two challenges
regarding the OIE's relations with the US. The first is
linked to the fact that the U.S. does not systematically
implement OIE-agreed international standards. He said
that this might over the long term hinder the U.S.
position in countering trade barriers erected by other
countries -- although he acknowledged the complexity of
the U.S. regulatory system. The second challenge relates
to the U.S. voluntary contribution to the OIE; U.S.
annual dues to the OIE total 130,000 USD, the same as for
other industrialized countries. Vallat encouraged the
U.S. to increase its voluntary contribution - it
currently ranks twelfth among member states. One
possible opportunity would be to help finance the OIE's
regional office located in Argentina and financed by the
Argentine government. Vallat stressed that the U.S.
benefits from this office, because it helps resolves
trade problems before they lead to crises.

An "old lady" faces new challenges -- including terrorism


10. Vallat explained that the IOE dates from 1924. Its
work has generated more interest post-mad cow:
"Policymakers understand that we have an important role
to play in policy relating to the link between animal
health and public health." Vallat stressed that
globalization -- and the attendant increase in the
movement of goods and people -- provides pathogens the
opportunity to travel, and to become more dangerous via
mutation and the exchange of genetic material. Vallat
stressed as a particular concern the potential use of
viral pathogens by terrorists; he cited the OIE's work
with AMES lab in identifying potential terrorist tools,
and devising guidance for governments on how to counter
these.


11. Organizationally, the OIE includes 167 member
states; the organization provides a network to facilitate
direct contact in order to arrive at common positions at
the technical level. Member states are represented by
their chief veterinary officers, who provide a link
between technical experts and those implementing policy.
Vallat observed that most governments are more apt to
invest more in animal diseases that pose a direct threat
to human health. In furtherance of its goals, the OIE
provides weekly updates on the propagation of 100
diseases, immediate alerts, and well as annual statistics
related to animal health. This would be of use in
combating bio-terrorism in that it would help identify
sources of pathogens.


12. Another aspect of the OIE's mission stems from the
fact that it is recognized by the WTO's as a standard
setting body for veterinary services. The 150 labs
affiliated with the OIE provide a scientific "common
denominator" for these standards that are adopted by
member states at annual meetings.
Oliver