. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/230
28 February 2001
(01-0982)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English/
French/
Spanish
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ON BOVINE SPONGIFORM
ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE)
Submission by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE)
1. Given the recent press attention focusing on the problem of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (BSE) and the growing number of notifications to the WTO on this subject, in
application of the provisions of the SPS Agreem ent, the OIE would like to remind WTO Members of
the existence of the international standard on th is disease constituted by a chapter in the OIE
International Animal Health Code (the Code ) (chapter 2.3.13).  The most recent version of the Code
dates back to May 2000 and the text of this chapter may be consulted in its entirety on the web site of
the OIE (www.oie.int).
2. No new scientific information has emerged to throw doubt on the validity of this standard.
Moreover, this standard has been regularly updated by the OIE since 1992, notably through a carefulreading of the relevant scientific publications and consultation of the best world experts in the field of
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in animals.
3. Chapter 2.3.13 of the Code  indicates in particular that the status of a country with regard to
BSE may only be determined after having conducted a risk assessment covering all of the potential
factors affecting the occurrence and spread of the disease, as well as their evolution over time.
4. As an example, the factors listed in article 2.3.13.1 include:
− the inclusion of meat-and-bone meal of ruminant origin in the rations distributed to cattle;
− the importation of such potentially contaminated products;
− the importation of cattle or cattle embryos from countries infected by the disease or likely to
be so;
− the epidemiological situation concerning transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in
animals in the countries being assessed;
− the origin of animal waste and the parameters selected for the treatment to which it is
subjected;
− the obligation to declare any suspicion of BSE in the country being assessed;
− the implementation of a programme to raise the awareness of professionals in the cattle
production chain and an adequate surveillance system;
− the existence of approved laboratories with personnel trained in the diagnosis of the disease.
5. In the light of the available scientific knowledge, the OIE recommends that, whatever the
health status of an exporting country with regard  to BSE, importing countries should not apply any
restrictions on importation or transit through their territory:
− of milk and milk products;
− of semen;G/SPS/GEN/230
Page 2
− of protein-free tallow and derivative products;
− of dicalcium phosphate (with no trace of protein or fat);
− of hides and skins;
− of gelatine and collagen prepared from hides and skins.
6. The OIE has drawn up special recommendations concerning the importation of cattle,
embryos, fresh meat and meat products depending on the health status of the exporting country with
regard to BSE. Chapter 2.3.13 also provides recomm endations for international trade in gelatine and
collagen prepared from bones and tallow (other than protein-free) that are intended for humanconsumption or animal feedstuffs, cosmetics or pharmaceutical products, or medical devices.
7. Two elements have recently resulted in an advance in the field of BSE surveillance: firstly,
rapid post-mortem diagnostic tests have been developed on an industrial scale, and secondly, certain
countries have drawn attention to the fact that it is advisable to monitor not only clinically suspect
animals, but also dead or injured animals on the farm .  This has resulted in an increase in the number
of cases identified in certain countries, which in practice allows these countries to apply control
measures in herds with a resulting fall in the risks associated with BSE.
8. Furthermore, the general prohibition on feeding all animals, including pigs and poultry, with
meat-and-bone meal of ruminant origin does not result from the discovery of a new BSE risk in pigs
and poultry, but from an effective risk management mechanism adopted by several countries.  The
manufacturing and distribution conditions for feedstuffs destined for pigs, poultry and fish in infected
countries has led to accidental cross-contamination of rations destined for cattle from meat meal in thefactory, during transport, or on the farm.
9. The International Animal Health Commission will  put forward proposals to the International
Committee (General Assembly of delegates from the 155 OIE Member Countries) in May 2001 with a
view to further improving the guidelines on BSE su rveillance, and will not fail to report to this
Committee on the question of meat-and-bone meal.
__________