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Call for experts to join the ad hoc Group on the revision of Chapter 5.12. ‘Model passport for international movement of competition horses’
Apply until 7 September 2026
WOAH is convening an ad hoc Group (AHG) to review and revise Terrestrial Code Chapter 5.12 ‘ Model passport for international movement of competition horses’ to ensure alignment with updated scientific knowledge and best practices for international trade.
Purpose of the ad hoc Group
The Group will review and revise the chapter mentioned above to incorporate current best practices for equine passports for domestic and international trade of show and competition horses and provide consistency with other equine disease-specific chapters. The revised Chapter 5.12. should complement other chapters of the Terrestrial Code, including the certification chapters (5.1. and 5.2.), high health status horse subpopulation chapter (4.18.), and the equine disease-specific chapters (Section 12).
Expertise sought (desirable)
- Background in domestic and international certification of equines for shows and competitions.
- Background in oversight, use and maintenance of equine passports and veterinary health certificates, including digital passport and certification systems.
- Knowledge of equine disease-specific chapters of the Terrestrial Code and their use in developing international certification statements
- Experience working with or for Veterinary Services and collaboration with equine industry and stakeholders.
- Experience with WOAH standards development
Professional and interpersonal skills
| Professional skills | Interpersonal skills | Availability requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Internationally recognised expertise in relevant domains listed above | -Proficiency in English; ability to work in intercultural settings – Good communication skills; able to work efficiently in an intercultural environment – Good analytical skills of existing scientific literature | – Attend a multi-day meeting (presential) and virtual meetings. – Draft or review reports, guidelines, and other relevant technical documents outside of meetings – Provide expertise on an ad hoc basis |
Tasks of the ad hoc Group
- Conduct a comprehensive review of Chapter 5.12. and propose any necessary revisions.
- Review existing Glossary definitions and propose revisions or new Glossary definitions (i.e., for equine passport), if relevant.
- Review report of the AHG on certification, the WOAH electronic data standards and guidance document, and the HHP Guidance Document.
- Identify and assess relevant cross-references to disease-specific chapters.
- Review the horse industry (FEI and IHSC) digital passport initiatives and propose options for integrating these systems into WOAH guidance, including ongoing work on electronic data standards.
- Summarise key findings from regional harmonisation projects and identify elements suitable for inclusion in the revised chapter.
- Make recommendations as needed to the AHG on certification in order to ensure consistency between chapters in Section 5.
- Identify and recommend any updates to the HHP framework document that may be required as a consequence of the proposed amendments to Chapter 5.12. Experts should indicate the sections of the HHP Framework that would be affected and, where appropriate, outline the type of change to be made.
- Define what information is best included in an equine passport and what information should be maintained in international veterinary certificates.
Expected deliverables
- Meeting report summarising discussions and rationale (with the support of WOAH Secretariat)
- Revised draft Chapter 5.12.
- Recommendations for revisions to other pertinent chapters or Glossary definitions if applicable.
- Any points requiring WOAH Specialist Commissions guidance
Timeline
The meeting is expected to take place from 3 to 5 November 2026, in person at WOAH Headquarters in Paris. The deliverables, including the revised chapters and the ad hoc Group report are to be submitted within two weeks following the meeting, in preparation for consideration by the WOAH Specialist Commissions at their February 2027 meeting. WOAH will cover participants’ flight costs and provide per diems for the duration of the meeting.
How to apply
Submit CV, statement of interest, and contact details to [email protected]. Deadline is 7 September 2026.
For any questions, please contact [email protected].