Aquatic Animal Health Code
and
Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals
... crucial reading for anybody involved in aquatic animal health certification, diagnosis, quarantine, risk analysis or movement issues... These publications will be indispensable for veterinary administrators... should serve as useful reference books to all fish/shellfish disease specialists. Australian Veterinary Journal
... the concise and accurate description of diagnostic techniques contained in this Manual is indispensable for anyone involved in the control of aquatic animal diseases. Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift
The aim of the Aquatic Animal Health Code (the Aquatic Code) is to assure the sanitary safety of international trade in aquatic animals (amphibians, crustaceans, fish and molluscs) and their products. This is achieved through the detailing of health measures to be used by the veterinary authorities of importing and exporting countries to avoid the transfer of agents pathogenic for animals or humans, while avoiding unjustified sanitary barriers.
The health measures in the Aquatic Code (in the form of standards and recommendations) have been formally adopted by the World Assembly of OIE Delegates. The 12th edition incorporates the modifications to the Aquatic Code agreed during the 77th General Session in May 2009. These include revised chapters on the following subjects: definitions, diseases listed by the OIE, general obligations related to certification, certification procedures, quality of Competent Authorities, crayfish plague and model health certificates for international trade in live aquatic animals and products of aquatic animal origin. As well, two new chapters covering the criteria to assess the safety of aquatic animal commodities and the welfare of farmed fish during transport were adopted and are included in this edition of the Aquatic Code.
The development of these standards and recommendations results from the ongoing work of one of the OIE's Specialist Commissions, the OIE Aquatic Animal Health Standards Commission (Aquatic Animals Commission). This Commission, which comprises five elected members and two observers experienced in methods for surveillance, diagnosis, control and prevention of infectious aquatic animal diseases, meets twice yearly to address its work programme. The Commission also draws upon the expertise of internationally renowned specialists to prepare draft texts for new chapters of the Aquatic Code or revise existing chapters in light of advances in veterinary knowledge. The views of the National Delegates of 174 OIE Members are systematically sought through the circulation of draft and revised texts. As well, the Aquatic Animals Commission collaborates closely with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission on issues needing a harmonised approach, and with the Biological Standards and Scientific Commissions to ensure the Aquatic Animals Commission's work is based on the latest scientific information.
The standards published in the Aquatic Code are the result of consensus among the veterinary authorities of OIE Members and are references for World Trade Organization (WTO) Members under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, in regard to which the OIE provides the health standards for safe international trade in aquatic animals and their products.
The OIE Aquatic Code is a reference document for use by Competent Authorities, import/export services, epidemiologists and all those involved in international trade of aquatic animals and their products.
To help Members use the Aquatic Code, the OIE has updated the Glossary, which contains definitions of the key terms and expressions used in the publication.
Part 1 contains provisions for aquatic animal disease diagnosis, surveillance and notification, on risk analysis and on the quality of competent authorities; provides general recommendations on disease prevention and control; sets out trade measures, import/export procedures and model health certificates and provides guidelines on the welfare of farmed fish during transport.
The recommendations in the disease chapters in Sections 8 to 11 of the Aquatic Code are intended to prevent the pathogen in question being introduced into the importing country, taking into account the nature of the traded commodity and the aquatic animal health status of the exporting country. Correctly applied, the recommendations provide for trade with an optimal level of animal health security, incorporating the latest scientific findings and available techniques.
A Users' Guide to the Aquatic Code is available from the OIE.
The purpose of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals (the Aquatic Manual) is to provide a standardised approach to the diagnosis of the diseases listed in the Aquatic Code, to facilitate health certification for trade in aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.
Although there are many publications on the diagnosis and control of aquatic animal diseases, the Aquatic Manual is a key reference document describing the methods relevant to the OIE-listed diseases for use by aquatic animal health laboratories around the world. Adoption of the specified methods will help to increase efficiency of laboratories and to promote improvements in aquatic animal health world-wide.
The OIE Aquatic Animals Commission is responsible for compiling the Aquatic Manual and all chapters are circulated to OIE Members for comment. The Aquatic Manual is continually revised and updated as new information becomes available. The OIE intends to publish a new edition approximately every two years; periodic updates will be provided via the OIE Web site.
The Aquatic Code and the Aquatic Manual are available in two separate volumes.
The Aquatic Code is available in English, French and Spanish, and the Aquatic Manual is available in English and Spanish only.
The Aquatic Code and Aquatic Manual are available online and free of charge.
12th Edition, 2009
Format: 29.7 x 21 cm
ISBN: 978-92-9044-755-9Price: 40 euros
Ref.: A145Aquatic Manual
5th Edition, 2006
Format: 29.7 x 21 cm
ISBN 92-9044-682-XPrice: 40 euros
Ref.: A147
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Contact : publications.dept@oie.int